TEAM Mandaue is set to substitute re-electionist City Councilor Editha Cabahug, who recently passed away due to ovarian cancer, with her son Looc Barangay Captain Kevin Cabahug in the elections on Monday, May 12, 2025.
Former Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said their political party will make a formal request before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the substitution.
“We will coordinate with the local Comelec officer for the process,” Cortes said.
Cortes said the development will not disrupt their slate as the necessary requirements are already being prepared, including an the younger Cabahug’s oath of office as a member of One Cebu, his Certificate of Candidacy (COC), and Editha’s death certificate
Cortes said Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, who heads One Cebu, has already been informed about the substitution.
According to Cortes, Kevin does not need to resign from his current post as barangay captain of Looc, and would only need to do so if he wins the election.
Cortes assured supporters that votes cast in Councilor Editha’s name will still be credited to her substitute in accordance with Comelec rules as official ballots had already been printed.
Kevin previously served as city councilor
from 2016 to 2019 and had been in public service for 24 years.
He was also former Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, SK Federation vice president, Looc barangay councilor for nine years, Barangay Councilors League of the Philippines president, and a past chairman and recent vice chairman of the Mandaue City Police Advisory Council.
Comelec Region 7 Director Francisco Pobe confirmed that substitution is allowed in cases where a candidate dies, provided that the replacement is from the same political party and has the same surname.
“This is permissible under election rules, but it must be officially declared by the party,” Pobe said, noting that the final decision lies with the party leadership.
Pobe further explained that since the deceased candidate was an incumbent, the rules of election will still apply, and the name on the ballot will be recognized.
“The vote for the deceased is considered a vote for the replacement or the substitute,” Pobe said.
Pobe said the Comelec Law Department will issue a directive to the electoral boards to observe this rule.
The substitution process can be completed anytime before noon on election day. / CAV