Residents arrive to cast their votes for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Barangay Rizal, a newly designated barangay in Taguig City on October 30, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- It's final.

The more than 200,000 registered voters of the 10 EMBO (Enlisted Men's Barrios) barangays in Taguig City can vote for congressmen starting in  next year's elections, the Commission on Elections announced Wednesday.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia in a late afternoon news briefing Wednesday disclosed this unanimous decision of the Commission en Banc, thereby ending questions on whether or not EMBO residents can also vote for congressman in the 2025 elections.

These voters can also vote for City Council positions.

"They can now vote for the members of the House of Representatives for the first and second district... sa 2025 at sa susunod na halalan (they can vote), unless there would be a law, that perhaps they create a third district in Taguig. Kung wala namang creation ng third district ng Taguig, mananatili yun, yung binigay namin (na kautusan)," Garcia told journalists.

READ: Comelec releases resolution listing 10 EMBO barangays to Taguig City

READ: Comelec to study Congress concurrent resolution on EMBO barangays

Voters of the 10 EMBO barangays will divided into two districts, namely:

First Legislative District And Councilor District:
Comembo
Pembo
Rizal

Second Legislative District And Councilor District:
Cembo
South Cembo
East Rembo
West Rembo
Pitogo
Post Proper Northside; and
Post Proper Southside

Those aspiring to run for public office residing in the 10 EMBO barangays can also do so, Garcia said.

Asked if EMBO barangay residents can also file their COC, Garcia answered in the affirmative.

"Kung may nag-file na kandidato na nakatira at residente at botante sa sampung barangays, para maipakita namin sa inyo na kung nag-file sila kahapon, saang distrito sila tinanggapan ng COC. Ibig sabihin, doon namin maipapakita na effective yung ginawa namin," Garcia said.

READ: Abby Binay slams Comelec's 'suppression' of EMBO voters, asks Taguig to act

Meanwhile, aside from reelectionist Senators Imee Marcos and Lito Lapid, and returning senators Vicente Sotto III and Panfilo Lacson, six other individuals also filed their COC for next year's senatorial race.

They are:

- Victoriano Inte
- Eric Negapatan
- Magno Manalo
- Manuel Andrada
- Jonry Gargarita
- Bethsaida Lopez

Lopez even became emotional when asked what she would do if she will be disqualified from the Senate race again.

“Kapag hindi ako pinatakbong senador ng Comelec, lahat ng mga involved na ako ay i-disqualify sa pagiging mahirap ay isusumpa ko ang mga taong ‘yon!," Lopez declared.

When sought for reaction, Garcia quickly explained their basis for disqualifying candidates.

“Siya ba ay nagdadala ng isang partido, may kasama ba sya? O ginagawa lang katatawan ang ating halalan gamit ang pagpa-file ng certificate of candidacy. ganun ba ka sya kaseryoso talaga na tumakbp? Madaling tumakbo," Garcia pointed out.

On October 2, twelve more party-list groups/sectoral organizations, also filed their Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination (CON-CAN).

These are:

- Komadrona
- United Senior Citizens
- Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat
- PAMANA
- ACT-CIS
- Barkadahan
- MAGDALO
- Apat Dapat
- Vendor’s
- A-Teacher
- LPGMA
- ABONO

The United Senior Citizens; MAGDALO and A-Teachers are all returning party-list groups.

“Kung mananalo at sa nakikita ko pong mga violations against the Constitution, malaki po ang posibilidad na maghahain po ako ng impeachment," MAGDALO's first nominee, former congressman Gary Alejano said.

As of last count, the Comelec has already received 27 Senate aspirants and 26 political party/sectoral representative applicants.

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