Comelec affirms Erice’s DQ from 2025 polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has affirmed its decision to disqualify former congressman Edgar Erice from running as representative of Caloocan City’s second district in the May 2025 midterm elections.

In a 30-page decision, the Comelec en banc ruled to concur with the Second Division’s earlier decision to disqualify Erice due to his statements questioning the credibility of South Korean firm Miru Systems’ automated election system.

“The integrity of elections is the cornerstone of democracy, and any act that undermines this foundation cannot be tolerated. The respondent’s disqualification is not merely justified, but necessary to protect the sanctity of our electoral process. This Commission must act decisively to ensure that the people’s trust in their democratic institutions remains intact,” the Comelec said.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the (Comelec en banc) affirms the (Comelec Second Division)’s Resolution dated Nov. 26, 2024 insofar as it declared respondent Edgar R. Erice as disqualified as a candidate for the position of member, House of Representatives in the 2nd District of Caloocan City for the May 12, 2025 national and local elections,” it added.

For the Comelec, disqualifying Erice is necessary so that further attacks on the credibility of the poll body will be prevented.