(Manila, 29th) The Philippine Election Commission (Comelec) announced on Wednesday (May 28th) the cancellation of the re-election qualifications of Jaime Capil, mayor of Bura City, Pampanga Province, on grounds that he was dismissed by the Ombudsman's office for administrative misconduct.
On May 15th, the second division of Comelec issued an eight-page decision ruling in favor of a disqualification complaint filed by former Mayor Michael Tabun, formally canceling Capil's candidacy.
The ruling states: “Given the aforementioned reasons, the committee (second division) finds in favor of this complaint and declares the respondent disqualified to run for the position of town mayor of Bura, Pampanga in the national and local elections on May 12, 2025.”
Capil was dismissed due to failing to prevent the illegal activities of the ‘Lucky South 99’ Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in the city during his tenure, and was dismissed for “gross negligence” by the Ombudsman.
According to the provisions of the Local Government Code, Comelec pointed out that anyone dismissed for an administrative case is prohibited from running for any local elective position.
The decision notes: “Allowing a person disqualified administratively to run would render the sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman ineffective, undermine administrative discipline, and make a mockery of the electoral system.”
Comelec emphasized that as a constitutional commission, its duty is “to uphold the sanctity of elections and ensure that only qualified candidates may run for election.”
Despite Capil winning 39,939 votes in the May 12 election, defeating Tabun who only received 23,063 votes, the second division of Comelec decided to consider Capil's votes as “spoiled ballots.”
At the same time, Comelec ordered the Bura City Board of Canvassers to reconvene, make necessary corrections to the election returns, and officially declare the candidate with the highest valid votes as the winner.
On May 15th, the second division of Comelec issued an eight-page decision ruling in favor of a disqualification complaint filed by former Mayor Michael Tabun, formally canceling Capil's candidacy.
The ruling states: “Given the aforementioned reasons, the committee (second division) finds in favor of this complaint and declares the respondent disqualified to run for the position of town mayor of Bura, Pampanga in the national and local elections on May 12, 2025.”
Capil was dismissed due to failing to prevent the illegal activities of the ‘Lucky South 99’ Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator in the city during his tenure, and was dismissed for “gross negligence” by the Ombudsman.
According to the provisions of the Local Government Code, Comelec pointed out that anyone dismissed for an administrative case is prohibited from running for any local elective position.
The decision notes: “Allowing a person disqualified administratively to run would render the sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman ineffective, undermine administrative discipline, and make a mockery of the electoral system.”
Comelec emphasized that as a constitutional commission, its duty is “to uphold the sanctity of elections and ensure that only qualified candidates may run for election.”
Despite Capil winning 39,939 votes in the May 12 election, defeating Tabun who only received 23,063 votes, the second division of Comelec decided to consider Capil's votes as “spoiled ballots.”
At the same time, Comelec ordered the Bura City Board of Canvassers to reconvene, make necessary corrections to the election returns, and officially declare the candidate with the highest valid votes as the winner.