THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday disqualified reelected Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil,and ordered the reconvening of the Municipal Board of Canvassers (MBOC) to proclaim the winning candidate in the May 12 polls.
In its eight-page resolution, the Comelec Second Division granted the petition of Michael Tapang against Capil filed back in April 15.
“In light of the foregoing, this Commission (Second Division) finds that respondent Jaime Venzon Capil is disqualified to run as candidate for mayor in the Municipality of Porac, Province of Pampanga, in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections,” said the Comelec.
“Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (Second Division) resolves to grant the instant petition, and declare respondent disqualified from running for the position of mayor in the Municipality of Porac, Province of Pampanga, in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections,” it added.
The poll body said Capil is disqualified from running in the last elections since he was dismissed by the Office of the Ombudsman last April 2025 after finding him guilty of gross neglect of duty.
Citing provisions of the Local Government Code, the Comelec said those removed from office due to an administrative case are deemed disqualified from running for any local elective post.
“To permit a candidate, who is administratively disqualified to run for office, would render the constitutional and statutory sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman inutile, effectively frustrating the ends of administrative discipline and making a mockery of the electoral process,” it said.
“Comelec, as a constitutional commission, is duty-bound to protect the sanctity of elections and ensure that only qualified and eligible individuals are allowed to run for public office,” added the ruling.
Capil was proclaimed the winning mayoral bet in Porac during the last elections after getting 39,939 votes.
Capil defeated former mayor Michael Tapang, who received 23,063 votes.
In its decision, the Comelec Second Division ruled to declare the votes for Capil as “stray” votes, and directed the Municipal Board of Canvassers of Porac to reconvene, make the necessary corrections in the Certificate of Canvass of Votes, and proclaim the candidate with the highest number of valid votes.
