MANILA -- Comelec chairman George Garcia said the reported previous attempt of Rep. Erwin Tulfo to gain US citizenship will not affect his Senate candidacy, unless a petition is filed and a case against him has become final and executory.

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Garcia said the Comelec has a ministerial duty to accept certificates of candidacy (COCs). 

Unless there is a formal petition filed and evidence presented, any issue involving a candidate will just be an accusation, the agency clarified.

Hence, Tulfo’s name will remain in the ballot until there is no final judgment.

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“Sinasabi ministerial po ang duty ng Comelec sa pagtatanggap ng COC… Ibig sabihin po, kahit maaaring may issue ang isang tao, tatanggapin po namin ang kaniyang certificate of candidacy. Lahat po 'yan akusasyon at alegasyon hanggang walang formal na kaso walang ireresolve ang Comelec,” Garcia told reporters, adding the poll body can only initiate cases against nuisance candidates.

“Sa kasalukuyan kung 'yan ay legal na pag uusapan hindi po apektado (ang kanyang candidacy) hanggang walang pinal na desisyon ang Comelec na executory ang pangalan ay masasama sa balota,” he added.

Garcia, meantime, belied rumors Rep. Rodante Marcoleta has withdrawn his 2025 senate bid.

“Wala pong nagwiwithdraw sa 66 na senador na kandidato na nakalagay sa balota,” Garcia said.

On whether Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro’s name will remain on the ballot despite a ruling of a Comelec division disqualifying him due to residency issues, Garcia said candidates in general whose cases have not attained finality will be included in the ballot.

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“Hanggang ang kanilang kaso ay nakaapela sa pamamagitan ng motion for reconsideration, hindi pinal ang desisyon and therefore kung dumating sa punto na nagpi-print na ang Comelec ang balota at wala pang disposisyon sa kanyang kaso ang en banc ng Comelec ay mananatili sa listahan sapagkat technically siya ay kandidato pa rin,” Garcia said.