FORMER Caloocan City Rep. Edgar Erice yesterday said he would contest the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to disqualify him in the May 2025 national and local polls.
In a press conference, Erice said he will appeal his disqualification to the Commission en banc as he objected to the decision of the Comelec second division to prevent him from his bid to regain the post he has held four times in the past.
“I am not disrupting the elections. I am disrupting the corruption… due to the Comelec-Miru deal,” Erice said.
“We will file a Motion for Reconsideration with the Comelec en banc on Monday,” he also said.
The second decision, in an 11-page decision dated November 26 but released on late Wednesday, granted the disqualification petition of Raymond Salipot, who said that Erice must be disqualified for “deliberately spreading false and alarming reports and circulating misleading messages to disrupt the electoral process and cause confusion among the voters”, which is prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
The division agreed with Salipot’s claim Salipot.
“Respondent’s acts clearly violate Section 261(2)(11) of the OEC. Consequently, this violation constitutes a ground for his disqualification as a candidate under Sec. 1 (c)(3)(viii) of Comelec Resolution No. 11046,” the second division said.
“Wherefore, premises considered, the petition is granted. Respondent Edgar R. Erice is disqualified as a candidate for the position of Member, House of Representatives in the Second (2nd) District of Caloocan City for the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections,” it ruled.
It said Erice has been proven to be engaged in a “well-documented and systematic pattern of making unsubstantiated yet disturbing and damaging statements” against the Comelec and the AES.
These include his characterization of the Philippines serving as a “guinea pig” for the use of the Automated Counting Machines (ACMs) to be provided by Miru Systems.
It also pointed to how he labeled the poll automation contract between the Commission and Miru as “highly anomalous” and being “rigged.”
Lastly, the division took note of Erice’s allegations that Comelec chairman George Garcia has offshore accounts while suggesting of having suspicious transactions related to Miru.
“All statements made by Respondent contradict verifiable and widely available facts from the Comelec and all sources across platforms. Glaring is the fact that there was not any modicum of evidence provided by Respondent aside from bare statements made in the media. Hence, the information propagated by Respondent on the general conduct of elections are false,” it said.
“Respondent’s act of propagating false information across multiple platforms demonstrates his deliberate intent to disrupt elections rather than legitimate criticism. 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,” added the second division.
The Comelec’s second division is presided by Commissioner Marlon Casquejo with Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis as members.
Comelec chairman George Garcia inhibited from participating in any case involving Erice.
In a memorandum issued on Wednesday, the poll chief said he is voluntarily inhibiting from any participation from any case involving Erice to avoid any allegations of conflict of interest.
“In view of the recent issues and the cases filed by former Congressman Edgar R. Erice against me, I am exercising my discretion to inhibit myself from handling or participating in any and all cases involving him or may be filed by him or against him,” he said.
“This decision is made to preserve the principles of fairness and impartiality, ensuring the integrity of the proceedings under my jurisdiction, and avoiding any potential perception of bias or conflict of interest,” he also said.
Last August, Erice filed an anti-graft and corruption practice complaint against Garcia with the Office of the Ombudsman concerning the P18 billion poll automation contract.