Comelec disqualifies ex-Caloocan lawmaker over ‘false, alarming’ poll remarks

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Commission on Elections has disqualified former Caloocan representative Edgar Erice from the congressional race, blocking his 2025 comeback bid.

The poll body’s second division granted a petition disqualifying Erice’s candidacy for Caloocan second district representative by “deliberately spreading false and alarming reports, and circulating misleading messages to disrupt the electoral process and cause confusion among the voters.”

In a resolution dated Tuesday, Nov. 26, Comelec said the pieces of evidence presented by petitioner Raymond Salipot “substantially demonstrate” the allegations and show Erice’s “well-documented and systemic pattern of making unsubstantiated yet disturbing and damaging statements against the Comelec and the conduct of the 2025 NLE (national and local elections).”

Salipot compiled Erice’s public and media statements, including his claim that the Philippines was being used as a “guinea pig” because the automated counting machines from technology provider Miru had not been used in any other country.

The petition included Erice’s allegation of evidence linking Comelec Chairman George Garcia to offshore accounts, allegedly showing suspicious transactions with Miru.

The Comelec said these are false, and that Erice failed to present evidence. Garcia inhibited himself from the case and refused to give further comment.

“Respondent’s act of propagating false information across multiple platforms demonstrates his deliberate intent to disrupt elections rather than legitimate criticism,” the resolution penned by presiding commissioner Marlon Casquejo read.

“With the use of multiple media platforms to circulate these false statements, he is amplifying their potential to cause public alarm, voter confusion and damage to the integrity of the electoral system in the country,” it added.

Comelec noted that Erice did not file a verified answer cum memorandum to respond to the petition within the five-day period set by the poll body.