Re-elected Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has disqualified re-elected Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil due to his dismissal from service by the Office of the Ombudsman.
In an eight-page resolution released Wednesday, the Comelec Second Division granted a petition filed by former mayor Michael Tapang on April 15th.
The decision stated, “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.”
Capil’s disqualification stems from an Ombudsman order removing him from office for alleged grave misconduct related to illegal activities of the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub, Lucky South 99, within the municipality.
Despite this, Capil was declared mayor in the May 12th elections, garnering 39,939 votes against Tapang’s 23,063. The Comelec Second Division has ruled that Capil’s votes are to be considered “stray,” meaning invalid.
Consequently, the Comelec has ordered the Porac Municipal Board of Canvassers (MBOC) to reconvene, correct the Certificate of Canvass of Votes, and proclaim the candidate with the highest number of valid votes. This effectively nullifies Capil’s victory and paves the way for Tapang, or another candidate, to be declared the rightful mayor of Porac.Share
