The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Second Division has disqualified reelected Porac Mayor Jing Capil in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections.
In its 8-page resolution dated May 28, 2025, the poll body said that Capil was no longer eligible to run for mayor in the recent polls after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal from service for gross neglect of duty over the illegal activities of the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub Lucky South 99 in the municipality.
The Comelec Second Division granted the petition filed by former mayor Michael Tapang against Capil on April 15.
"Wherefore, premises considered, the Commission (Second Division) resolves to grant the instant Petition, and declare Respondent disqualified from running for the position of Mayor in the Municipality of Porac, Province of Pampanga, in the May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections," the ruling stated.
The poll body even cited provisions of the Local Government Code, which states that those removed from office due to an administrative case are deemed disqualified from running for any local elective post.
"To permit a candidate, who is administratively disqualified to run for office, would render the constitutional and statutory sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman inutile, effectively frustrating the ends of administrative discipline and making a mockery of the electoral process," the Comelec said.
Meanwhile, the COMELEC Porac ordered the Municipal Board of Canvassers (MBOC) of Porac to "reconvene, amend the Certificate of Canvass, and proclaim the candidate with the highest number of valid votes as the duly elected mayor."
The session is scheduled on June 3, 2025, at 10 a.m., at the Sangguniang Bayan Session Hall in the old municipal building, Barangay Poblacion, Porac.
The MBOC is expected to proclaim former municipal councilor Mike Tapang, who ranked second in the town mayoral race.