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Cavite 4th District Rep. Kiko Barzaga (standing).
PNA photo by Joan Bondoc
MANILA, Philippines — Despite his expulsion from the House of Representatives, former Cavite 4th District representative Kiko Barzaga remains eligible to seek a return, according to Commission on Elections Chairman George Erwin Garcia.
Garcia said Barzaga’s removal from office does not automatically disqualify him from running in the special election that the Comelec is planning to hold in Dasmariñas, Cavite to fill the vacancy created by his expulsion.
Under existing election laws and jurisprudence, Garcia explained, expulsion from the House is administrative in nature and does not carry the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
“In this case, there is no such additional penalty,” Garcia said, noting that permanent disqualification generally applies only to individuals convicted of crimes that specifically carry such a sanction.
Garcia added that eligibility for candidacy remains subject to constitutional and legal requirements such as age, citizenship and literacy, while convictions involving moral turpitude require a final court judgment before disqualification may be imposed.
While Barzaga’s eligibility could still be challenged once Comelec issues formal guidelines for the special election, Garcia said any dispute may ultimately be resolved by the courts.
Comelec is eyeing to hold a special election in Dasmariñas, Cavite in August, following the vacancy after the expulsion of Barzaga.
Garcia said the poll body is now coordinating internally and with local officials to finalize the date of the special election, which is being considered either on Aug. 22 or Aug. 29, both Saturdays.
Vice President Sara Duterte of fered words of support and encour agement to Barzaga. Meanwhile, House lawmakers voted to penalize Rep. Bong Suntay for his sexist remarks against actress Anne Curtis during a committee hearing. – Delon Porcalla
