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Former Caloocan lawmaker Edgar Erice. —Photo from Erice’s FB page
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified House of Representatives aspirant Edgar Erice from running in the 2025 polls due to propagation of false information to “disrupt the electoral process.”
The Comelec Second Division granted the disqualification petition filed by petitioner Raymond Salipot against Erice for violating provisions in the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
“Respondent EDGAR R. ERICE is DISQUALIFIED as a candidate for the position of Member, House of Representatives in the Second (2nd) District of Caloocan City for the 12 May 2025 National and Local Elections,” the Comelec’s decision released to the media on Wednesday said.
READ: Erice faces complaint over alleged violation of election code
The decision added that “[r]espondent’s acts clearly violate Section 261 (z)(11) of the OEC. Consequently, this violation constitutes a ground for his disqualification as a candidate under Sec. 1 (c)(3)(viii) of COMELEC Resolution No. 11046.”
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Sec. 261 (z)(11) of the OEC prohibits the propagation of false and alarming information with the intent to disrupt the elections and cause confusion among voters. Salipot previously filed a complaint against Erice for alleged violation of the same provision in the OEC.
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READ: SC asked to stop Comelec – Miru deal for 2025 polls
However, the disqualification case filed against Erice is not yet final.
The decision said that the petitioner presented “pieces of evidence” against Erice, who made claims against Comelec and the 2025 polls in several media outfits, such as declaring the P18 billion contract of Comelec and Miru Systems as “highly anomalous.”
It also noted that “[r]espondent’s unverified claims pertain to the general conduct of the elections, as he attacks the very machine and technology to be utilized in the 2025 NLE [national and local elections].”
“Glaring is the fact that there was not any modicum of evidence provided by the Respondent aside from bare statements made in the media. Hence, the information propagated by Respondent on the general conduct of elections are false,” it added.
In April, Erice asked the Supreme Court to stop the poll body from implementing the contract with Miru Systems, claiming that it violates Republic Act 7369, or the Automated Election Law.
Meanwhile, in a memorandum released Wednesday, Garcia said that he is inhibiting himself from handling or participating in any cases involving Erice because of the cases filed against him by Erice.
“This decision is made to preserve the principles of fairness and impartiality, ensuring the integrity of the proceedings under my jurisdiction and avoiding any potential perception of bias or conflict of interest,” the memorandum read.
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In August, Erice filed a graft complaint against Garcia over the P18 billion contract deal with Miru Systems.