The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially dismissed the disqualification case filed against Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, ensuring her continued eligibility to hold office following allegations of election law violations during the May 2025 elections.
Background of the Case
The petition was initiated by Katrina Kaye Kowalik, former head of the Capitol's social media arm known as Sugbo News. Kowalik accused Governor Baricuatro of violating Section 5 in relation to Section 3 of Republic Act 9006, commonly referred to as the Fair Election Act, along with Comelec Resolutions 11086 and 11117.
The controversy centered around a social media post that claimed Baricuatro was leading the gubernatorial race with an impressive 82 percent of votes during the election period. This post formed the basis of the complaint alleging premature election campaigning and potential violation of election rules.
Comelec's Technical Grounds for Dismissal
The Comelec First Division ruled to dismiss the case primarily on technical grounds rather than addressing the substantive allegations. According to the decision released on November 19, 2025, the petitioner failed to comply with procedural requirements by not submitting proof of service of the petition to the respondent.
The division specifically noted that Kowalik did not provide the complete annexes to the respondent or file an affidavit of service, which are mandatory procedural elements in election cases. This technical deficiency proved fatal to the case, regardless of the merits of the allegations.
"In view of the foregoing, the Commission (First Division) hereby RESOLVES to DISMISS the instant petition," the official decision stated, putting an end to the legal challenge against the Cebu governor.
Implications and Next Steps
With this dismissal, Governor Baricuatro's position remains secure, allowing her to continue serving as Cebu's chief executive without the cloud of disqualification hanging over her administration. The ruling demonstrates how technical procedural requirements can significantly impact election-related cases, sometimes overshadowing the substantive issues raised in complaints.
The case highlights the importance of strict adherence to Comelec's procedural rules for anyone filing election-related complaints. While the petitioner alleged violations of the Fair Election Act, the failure to follow proper filing procedures ultimately determined the outcome of this particular legal challenge.
