Former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson in this file photo from September 15, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA -- Former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson will remain in the ballots for the 2025 midterm elections, even after he announced his withdrawal from the Senate race on Sunday.

This, as ballots are already being printed, according to Comelec chairman George Garcia.

Votes for Singson will be considered stray.

"Kung sakaling may makuhang boto 'yung isang nag-withdraw na kandidato, mako-consider na stray ang lahat ng boto niya. Hindi po ito bibilangin," said Garcia on Monday.

"Doon sa mga umaasa [na] baka sakaling ma-adjust pa ang numero, o nagwo-worry na baka biglang mag-adjust pa ang numero natin, hindi na po kami makakapag-adjust sapagkat nakapagsimula na tayo ng pag-imprenta ng balota," he added.

READ: Health issue forces Chavit Singson to withdraw from Senate race

Singson withdrew from the race on Sunday over health issues. In a speech in front of his supporters, the former governor revealed that he is recovering from pneumonia.

"Kaya matapos ang mahabang pag-iisip, nag-desisyon ko po, hindi na ako tutuloy sa aking kandidatura sa Senado," said Singson.

"Hindi po biro ang kampanya, lalo na ang trabaho ang isang senador, kung talagang magtatrabaho. Ayaw kong ipilit. Ang aking kalusugan ay maaring magdusa," he added.

A candidate has to personally appear before the Comelec to withdraw their candidacy. No substitution will be allowed in the event of a withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the poll body is standing by the cancellation of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of the supposed rival of House Speaker Martin Romualdez for the post of Leyte first district representative.

According to Garcia, Romilda Bacale is an unregistered voter of Tacloban after the Election Registration Board (ERB) and the courts denied her transfer of voter records from Sampaloc, Manila. Bacale, he said, may still vote in Sampaloc.

"The Comelec can enforce the decision of the courts even without a formal petition to be filed before the Comelec," said Garcia.

Garcia also stood by the Comelec decision disqualifying former Albay governor Noel Rosal from running again for governor in the May elections. Rosal has reportedly criticized the speedy decision regarding his case.

The Comelec en banc denied Rosal's motion for reconsideration and affirmed the decision of the Comelec Second Division dated December 27, 2024, cancelling his COC, citing the Ombudsman's decision on June 2024 meting Rosal with the penalty of Dismissal from Service with the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification to hold public office and cancellation of eligibility.

Garcia said the poll body merely performed its duty in its desire to resolve pending cases before election day without sacrificing the integrity of the elections. 

"Sana huwag kami sisihin ng ilan kapag mabilis ang aksyon. Kapag mabagal sinisisi din kami, kapag mabilis sinisisi pa rin so talagang walang makalagyan po ang Komisyon," he said.