FACT CHECK: Comelec chief quote on DQ issue of Bohol congressional bet is fabricated

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Comelec Chairman Garcia has not issued any statement regarding the disqualification of Bohol congressional bet Baba Yap

Claim: According to a news report, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia said that they will most likely disqualify Bohol 1st District congressional candidate John Geesnell “Baba” Yap II for alleged vote buying.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this:  The claim, posted on Facebook on Sunday,  May 11, has gathered 100 reactions, 58 comments, and more than 30 shares as of writing. It was published on a page with 220,000 followers.

The post reads, “Garcia: Comelec will most likely disqualify Bohol 1st District congressional Candidate Baba Yap” and was captioned, “Paktay! Sayang ang boto kung di makalingkod. Klaro naman kuno nga i-disqualify!” (Oh no! Votes will go to waste if he won’t be able to sit down. It’s already clear that he will be disqualified.) 

The claim was posted in a format that mimics news report graphics from ABS-CBN, a legitimate news organization.  

The facts: Comelec said the quote is fake and that the report did not come from ABS-CBN. 

“Walang ganitong pahayag na inilabas si Chairman Garcia tungkol sa issue ng diskwalipikasyon sa posisyon ng 1st Congressional District ng Bohol. Ang graphics na kumakalat sa social media ngayong 11 May 2025 ay gawa-gawa lamang,” Comelec said in a statement. 

(Comelec Chairman Garcia did not issue any such statement regarding the disqualification issue for the 1st Congressional District of Bohol. The graphic circulating on social media as of May 11, 2025 is entirely fabricated.)

Comelec also clarified that the image of Chairman Garcia was taken during a Comelec press briefing on an unrelated matter.

Disqualification case: While there is a disqualification case filed against the former Tagbilaran City mayor and Bohol 1st District congressional candidate Baba Yap over alleged vote buying, Comelec has not decided on the petition. 

The poll body has not issued any official statement or verdict on the disqualification case as of writing. 

According to the Article IX-C of the 1987 Constitution, only the Comelec has the authority to decide cases related to elections. All decisions must go through the proper process, and any resolution must be officially published before it is considered final and effective.

Election fact-checks: Rappler has published several election-related fact checks in the run-up to the May 12 elections: 

• FACT CHECK: Leaving blanks on ballot will not lead to vote manipulation
• FACT CHECK: Bayan Muna party-list group has not been disqualified
• FACT CHECK: ‘News reports’ on Bayan Muna disqualification are fabricated
• FACT CHECK: Poll watchers not allowed to take photos of voter receipts   
• FACT CHECK: QR codes in voter receipt don’t show names of candidates voted for 

– Jene Pangue/Rappler.com 

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