The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially stated that the power to call a special election to fill the vacant congressional seat of the late Antipolo Second District Representative Romeo Acop rests solely with the House of Representatives (HOR).
House Prerogative on Vacancy Filling
This clarification comes amid calls from Acop's political party, the National Unity Party (NUP), urging the poll body to immediately conduct a special election. Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco emphasized in a phone interview that the decision is exclusively for the lower house to make.
"There will only be a special election if the House of Representatives calls for one, because only the HOR can determine that," Laudiangco stated. He explained that this procedure applies to all cases of permanent vacancy, whether due to death or resignation.
Laudiangco added that the call for filling the seat, either through a special election or by assigning a member-caretaker, is "solely and exclusively within the prerogative and wisdom of the HOR."
No Word Yet from Congress
As of the latest update, the Comelec has not received any communication from the House of Representatives regarding the necessity of holding a special poll. "Wala pa po, so far (None yet, so far)," the poll official confirmed.
The vacancy was created following the death of Representative Romeo Acop on December 20. The 78-year-old congressman passed away due to a heart attack.
NUP's Push for Swift Action
Following Acop's passing, the National Unity Party advocated for a prompt special election. The party proposed that Comelec hold the polls for his successor anytime between February 18 and March 20.
However, with Comelec's latest statement, the ball is now firmly in the court of the House of Representatives. The lower chamber must formally issue a call before any electoral process for the Antipolo City 2nd District seat can commence.
The situation highlights the established protocol for addressing congressional vacancies, placing the decision-making authority squarely with the legislative body directly affected by the absence of one of its members.
