The Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division has found that the election protest filed by former Board Member Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab against City of San Fernando Mayor Vilma Balle-Caluag is "sufficient in form and content," according to an order issued on December 23, 2025.
Pineda-Cayabyab, who lost in the City of San Fernando May 2025 mayoral race, filed an election protest before the Comelec Main Office in Intramuros on May 22, 2025.
The former board member is seeking a manual recount of all ballots cast in the city’s 239 precincts.
In the Order, Comelec said it resolved the issue after the Caluag sought the summary dismissal of the case, claiming that the election protest failed to comply with procedural requirements under Comelec Resolution No. 8804.
The Comelec noted that the protest was supported by sworn and notarized affidavits from thousands of voters and watchers, which, the Commission said, carry significant probative value at this stage of the proceedings.
Citing jurisprudence, the Commission explained in the Order that ballots are considered the best evidence in election protests and that allegations requiring ballot examination generally warrant recount proceedings.
However, Comelec emphasized that its ruling does not resolve the merits of the protest nor determine the actual winner of the election.
The said order states that the ruling only affirms that the protest is procedurally sufficient and that the protestant should be given the opportunity to prove her claims.
With the denial of the motion to dismiss, the Commission said the case will proceed to the next stages of the election contest process.