The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has confirmed that expelled Cavite Fourth District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga is eligible to seek his former seat in the upcoming special election on August 29, despite his expulsion from the House of Representatives last June.
Comelec Confirms Eligibility
Comelec Chairman George Garcia stated that Barzaga's expulsion did not include a perpetual disqualification clause, allowing him to run again. “He is allowed to run as his dismissal has no perpetual disqualification provision,” Garcia said in an interview. The special polls will fill the vacancy in the Fourth Legislative District of Cavite.
Expected Candidates
Garcia anticipates that three to four individuals will file their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs). “We expect around three to four filing their COCs,” he added. The filing period is set from July 15 to 17, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Office of the Election Officer (OEO) in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, as per Resolution 11241.
Filing Requirements
The Comelec specified that COCs must be filed personally or through an authorized representative with a sworn Authority to File the COC. Any public appointive official, including active AFP members and government-owned corporation employees, is considered ipso facto resigned upon filing. However, elective officials are not deemed resigned when filing their COC.
Substitution Rules
The poll body also clarified that if a candidate from a duly registered political party dies, withdraws, or is disqualified, a substitute from the same party may file a COC up to midday of Election Day, provided they meet all qualifications and none of the disqualifications.
