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Peso weakens as market sees June BSP cut

STOCK PHOTO | Image by iiijaoyingiii from Pixabay

THE PESO depreciated against the dollar on Wednesday amid expectations of another rate cut by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) next month.

The local unit closed at P55.855 per dollar on Wednesday, weakening by six centavos from its P55.795 finish on Tuesday, Bankers Association of the Philippines data showed.

The peso opened Wednesday’s session stronger at P55.75 against the dollar. It dropped to as low as P55.95, while its intraday best was at P55.63 versus the greenback.

Dollars exchanged increased to $1.92 billion on Wednesday from $1.89 billion on Tuesday.

“The peso weakened amid growing expectations of a potential BSP rate cut in June,” a trader said in an e-mail.

BSP Governor Eli M. Remolona, Jr. told Bloomberg last week that the central bank could cut borrowing costs by 75 basis points (bps) more this year as inflation continues to slow.

Last month, the Monetary Board slashed benchmark rates by 25 bps to bring the policy rate to 5.5%. Its next meeting is on June 19.

The peso dropped even as the US dollar was generally weaker against Asian currencies on Wednesday amid higher global crude oil prices and easing expectations of a recession after the US and China agreed to cut tariffs for 90 days, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. Chief Economist Michael L. Ricafort said in a Viber message.

For Thursday, the trader said the peso could recover “as the likely contraction in US retail sales report might support further depreciation of the greenback.”

The trader expects the peso to move between P55.70 and P55.95 per dollar on Thursday, while Mr. Ricafort sees it ranging from P55.75 to P55.95. — A.M.C. Sy

Sara’s acquittal likely in new Senate

PHILSTAR FILE PHOTO

By Adrian H. Halili and Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporters

VICE-PRESIDENT Sara Duterte-Carpio may be cleared of her impeachment charges, with pro-Duterte Senators set to take office before her trial begins in July, an analyst said.

“Acquittal in the impeachment trial is likely. The VP is assured of getting nine senators to vote in her favor, possibly, there could be three more. This means she can get overwhelming support for her acquittal,” Michael Henry Ll. Yusingco, a fellow at the Ateneo de Manila University Policy Center, said in a Facebook Messenger chat.

A two-third vote is required to remove the VP from office and bar her from running in future elections. Ms. Duterte is among the top contenders for the 2028 Presidential elections.

But if all else fails, Mr. Yusingco said that House prosecutors could instead file a plunder case against the VP with the Office of the Ombudsman.

“This might not totally stop her from running and winning in 2028, but it can make the path to victory very hard,” he added. 

Manila Rep. Joel R. Chua, who is among the House prosecutors, said he remains optimistic that Ms. Duterte will be convicted.

“If we look at those who won, it’s very tough and very challenging,” Mr. Chua told reporters in a virtual media briefing on Wednesday. “[But] I believe that our esteemed senators will fulfill their duty based on the facts and not because of their political affiliations.”

Unofficial election tallies show that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s Senate candidates only secured six of the 12 contested seats in the May 12 elections, which analysts said could fall short of securing a conviction for Ms. Duterte’s ouster trial.

The evidence fueling the calls for Ms. Duterte’s ouster is “very overwhelming, obvious and blatant,” said Mr. Chua. “I don’t see any reason for them not to vote in favor. Otherwise, they will need to explain to the public why their vote will not go that way.”

The Office of the Vice-President did not immediately reply to an email seeking comment.

The election outcome has led to rumors that Mr. Marcos will pursue an impeachment case against Ms. Duterte, which Malacañang denied on Wednesday.

“There is no news regarding the President pursuing impeachment or the impeachment trial of VP Sara, so we oppose and deny [those allegations],” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said in Filipino during a briefing.

“There is no mention of any confidence that the Vice President will be ousted or removed from office,” she added. 

TOO EARLY
Gary Ador Dionisio, dean of the De La Salle — College of Saint Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance, said it is still too early to tell if Ms. Duterte will be acquitted of her charges as the trials have not yet started.

“But what is important in the impeachment trial is to discuss in public extensively the articles of impeachment filed against VP Sara as this will help all of us the basis of her impeachment,” Mr. Dionisio said in a Messenger chat.

The House impeached the Vice-President on Feb. 5, alleging secret fund misuse, unexplained wealth, acts of destabilization and plotting the assassination of Mr. Marcos, his family, and the Speaker of the House. Ms. Duterte has denied any wrongdoing.

The impeachment complaint was filed and signed by more than 200 congressmen, meeting more than the one-third legal requirement before it could be sent to the Senate.

She is expected to face the Senate as an impeachment court with her trial scheduled to commence next month.

Ateneo de Manila University, Political Science Lecturer Hansley A. Juliano said the Marcos administration must sway the senate through its policy priorities for them to support the impeachment proceedings.

“The Dutertes in turn must build on more consistent policy opposition to consider swaying the senate to their side instead,” Mr. Juliano said via Messenger chat.

He added that incumbent senators, who are expected to serve until 2028, may not be predictable on where their stance will be as they “have their own separate agendas.”

In addition, Maria Ela L. Atienza, a political scientist at the University of the Philippines, said the President could still increase his public trust ratings while he still controls the state’s resources.

“The President still controls the resources of the state, and his team can exert influence on the senators and the public. He can also work on implementing programs and pushing for legislation that are relevant and popular to the public to increase his public trust ratings,” she said via Viber.

She added that Senators may find it difficult to go against a popular president unless there is blatant abuse of power.

The President’s trust rating fell to 60% in April, according to an OCTA Research poll issued last month.

Jemy Gatdula, Dean of University of Asia and the Pacific School of Law, said changes in the Senate composition may not be substantial.

“I don’t think the election changed or made substantial differences in the numbers from before the election and after the election. It’s pretty much the same count,” he said in a messenger chat.

He added that the impeachment case against Ms. Duterte will not be beneficial for the country.

“It will essentially render the country distracted with several months of, I think, gross political theater. And it’s not something that I see will lead down to the benefit of the country,” Mr. Gatdula said.

NEW PROSECUTORS
Meanwhile, two of the 11-person House prosecution team are set to lose their congressional race, opening slots for new prosecutors ahead of Ms. Duterte’s impeachment trial.

“The House leadership has the authority to designate their replacements,” National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers President Ephraim B. Cortez said in a Viber message.    

“They should appoint any of these new congressmen as prosecutors, especially that Mr. Diokno and Ms. de Lima are seasoned lawyers, and their expertise and experience will contribute to the successful prosecution of the impeachment case,” said Mr. Cortez.

In a separate statement on Wednesday, Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez confirmed the addition of Ms. De Lima and Mr. Diokno as into the House impeachment panel. — with Chloe Mari A. Hufana

PHL to build ‘foolproof’ arbitration case against China over sea dispute

PHILIPPINE STAR/MICHAEL VARCAS

THE Philippine government is ensuring that a second international arbitration case against China over the South China Sea is “foolproof,” with a security official on Wednesday saying they are still gathering evidence to make the case airtight should it move forward.

“If ever we will file a case, whatever perspective it would be, we will make sure that it will be foolproof,” National Maritime Council (NMC) spokesman Alexander S. Lopez said in a media briefing in mixed English and Filipino. “We should not file a case unless we are fully prepared.”

“When the case is truly foolproof, then we will proceed with filing—whether it be an environmental case or another case,” he added.

The Philippines is eyeing to file another arbitration case against China stemming from alleged environmental damage done by China over maritime features within the country’s exclusive economic zone, Reuters reported in January.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

After gathering sufficient evidence, the Justice Department will come up with legal recommendations, submitting them to the NMC for final review before the Executive branch decides, said Mr. Lopez.

“Everything is still under study,” Fretti G. Ganchoon, senior state counsel at the Justice department, said in the same briefing.

The Philippines first took legal action against China in 2013, filing an arbitration case in a United Nations-backed court over the Scarborough Shoal dispute. In 2016, the tribunal ruled that China had interfered with Filipino fishermen’s rights to access the area.

Beijing has continued to deploy vessels around the maritime feature to assert its claim despite the ruling.

SECURITY FORUM
Meanwhile, senior military officials from the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan met in Hawaii on Monday for a strategic forum focused on strengthening regional security and boosting combined deterrence efforts in the Indo-Pacific region amid China’s continued assertiveness in the South China Sea.

In a statement on Wednesday, the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) said the top generals of the Philippine and US armies and Marine Corps, Japan’s Self-Defense Force and Australian Defense Force met for the triannual Land Forces Dialogue, where they talked about intelligence sharing and joint combat exercise coordination while deepening military capabilities integration.

“Unity, agility and trust are central to achieving a credible and effective deterrent posture in the Indo-Pacific,” it said. “Leaders acknowledged the urgency of moving faster, collaborating deeper and aligning strategic transformation efforts across partner forces.”

“USARPAC continues to lead multilateral military engagement across the Indo-Pacific region, bringing together allies and partners to address evolving threats and preserve security through combined strength,” it added.

The classified military forum followed Beijing’s release of a white paper on its national security doctrine, in which it emphasized the need for regional stability amid a “world of change and disorder” and highlighted the need to cooperate with neighboring countries to keep peace in the region.

China continues to assert its claim over more than 80% of the mineral-rich South China Sea, a vital global trade route, despite the 2016 ruling that declared its claim illegal.

Beijing’s expansive claims over the disputed waters have intensified regional security concerns as Southeast Asian nations grapple with China’s growing sea presence.

Tensions between Manila and Beijing recently escalated following an encounter between their naval vessels near the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal and after Chinese state media reported Beijing had asserted control over a disputed reef close to a Philippine military outpost.

The Philippines is seeking closer ties with countries that advocate for a rules-based order and recognize international law as China continues to deploy an armada of ships and sustain a presence on man-made islands west of its coastline.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) hosted top European Union (EU) officials in Manila on Tuesday, discussing efforts to deepen strategic ties between the Philippines and the European grouping.

PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L. Gavan met with EU’s Head of Delegation to the Philippines Mariomassimo Santoro and First Secretary Frederic Grillet at the coast guard’s headquarters in the Philippine capital.

“The visit strengthened maritime cooperation and explored new avenues for deeper and more strategic collaboration between the Philippines and the European Union,” the PCG said in a statement. “Strengthening PH-EU ties in trade, security and development remains a priority to ensure sustainable and inclusive progress.” — Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio

Palace confident President Marcos still enjoys ‘great’ public support

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. spoke at the ceremonial signing at Malacañan Palace of a joint circular for the establishment of P1 billion worth of child development centers in low-income parts of the country. — PPA POOL/MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

THE Presidential Palace on Wednesday said President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. believes that the Filipino people still trust the administration, despite the results of Monday’s polls.

“The President still believes that the people still have great support for the administration at this time,” Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said in Filipino during a briefing. “Let us remember that the latest survey shows a high trust rating for the President.”

Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s spokesman, Herminio “Harry” L. Roque, called Mr. Marcos a “lame duck” as his senatorial bets failed to secure an overwhelming majority in the midterm elections.

Mr. Roque posted on his social media on Tuesday night in Filipino: “Junior is not a candidate, but he still has lost his fangs! Here is the real lame duck president!”

He was referring to the recent midterm election results, where only six of the ten administration-backed candidates won. One of whom, however, was also endorsed by his ally-turned-rival, Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

The Palace rebutted Mr. Roque’s jabs, daring him to go home and face accusations against him. Mr. Roque, a former human rights lawyer, is currently seeking political asylum in the Netherlands.

He is facing charges for alleged human trafficking, among others, due to his connections in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

“If the president is a lame duck and the administration seems to be indifferent, he should come back here immediately,” Ms. Castro said.

Surveys conducted by major polling firms such as Pulse Asia and OCTA Research have shown that while his numbers have gradually declined from post-election highs, Mr. Marcos continues to enjoy majority support across key demographics and regions.

In the most recent nationwide survey conducted ahead of the 2025 midterm elections, Mr. Marcos registered a trust rating of 55% in April, according to OCTA.

This marked his lowest trust rating since the first quarter last year, but OCTA noted most adult Filipinos still trust Mr. Marcos, with only about 23% saying they did not trust the President. Around 18% of respondents said they were undecided.

Meanwhile, when asked how Mr. Marcos’ legislative agenda would fare in the 20th Congress, Ms. Castro said the President hopes all winners will respond to the needs of the people.

“Their work is for the people, not for the interests of a few. So, whatever color that may be, the President truly welcomes the unity of each of our leaders to address any problem and provide solutions to the needs of our countrymen,” she said in Filipino.

She noted the administration also expects the presence of a “legitimate oppositionists,” but will fight “obstructionists” who hide in the name of oppositionists.

“When we say legitimate oppositionists, what they are fighting for is the country, the interests of the people, not personal interests; obstructionists will do nothing but destroy, see nothing good in what the government is doing, and only want to advance their own interests,” she said.

Monday’s elections served as a crucial referendum on Mr. Marcos’ administration, analysts said. These elections determined half of the Senate’s 24 seats and positions in the House of Representatives and local government units.

Traditionally, midterms are viewed as a litmus test of public support for the incumbent administration.

This electoral outcome comes amid persistent political tension between Mr. Marcos and the Duterte family. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

Lakas-CMD clinches political grip in Philippines’ midterm vote

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez — PHILIPPINE STAR/KRIZ JOHN ROSALES

By Kenneth Christiane L. Basilio, Reporter

THE Philippines’ dominant political party has strengthened its grip after it secured key positions in the midterm elections, as tensions between two of the nation’s most influential political clans continue to play out, House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez said on Wednesday.

Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) has secured a strong electoral showing on May 12 as it is poised to win a Senate seat, 104 seats in the House of Representatives alongside hundreds of local officials, party leader Mr. Romualdez said, citing internal election monitoring data.

The party is expected to secure 15 governorships, 22 vice-governorships, 24 city mayoral seats, 23 city vice-mayoral positions, and 385 municipal mayoral posts, solidifying its influence across local governments nationwide.

“This is not just a win for Lakas-CMD,” he said in a statement. “This is a strong signal from the Filipino people: they want steady hands, clear direction, and leadership that puts service above self.”

The political party, which holds a majority at the House, fielded more than 6,000 candidates across national and local levels for the May polls.

Mr. Romualdez’s claim that Lakas-CMD secured a win in the midterm elections could be political posturing, Arjan P. Aguirre, who teaches political science at the Ateneo de Manila University, said in a Facebook Messenger chat. “What this did not mention is that their numbers dropped.”

“They had 112 seats for 2022 to 2025 as a party, but 104 seats now,” Hansley A. Juliano, who also teaches political science at the Ateneo said via Facebook chat. “While it means they still have enough numbers for the majority coalition, this doesn’t actually look as solid as it does now.”

The Office of the Speaker did not immediately reply to a Viber message seeking comment.

Mr. Romualdez likely issued the statement to prevent groups opposing the Marcos administration from gaining traction in Congress, said Mr. Aguirre.

“This is something that we expect from the ruling coalition so as to preempt any attempts from some House members to switch their allegiances to the Duterte-aligned faction,” he said.

The political rivalry between the Marcos and Duterte families has escalated ahead of the midterm elections as both camps have been courting politicians to consolidate influence and bolster their respective support bases

“We may expect more horse-trading and concessions in the House especially during budget season,” Mr. Juliano said. “The Marcos administration now has the burgeoning risk of suffering the problems of a lame-duck administration even when it nominally still has the numbers.”

The number of government seats held by Lakas-CMD may not directly help shore up support for the Marcos administration ahead of the 2028 presidential polls, Anthony Lawrence A. Borja, an associate political science professor at the De La Salle University, said in a Facebook chat.

“There is a divide between local and national politics and by 2028, voters might end up with a misalignment between their choices for local and national leaders, especially if local leaders choose to stay away from the Marcos-Duterte feud,” he said.

Ms. Duterte had emerged as a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election, setting the stage for a challenge against the Marcoses.

N. Korean missile launch condemned

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THE PHILIPPINES on Wednesday condemned North Korea’s latest ballistic missile launches, which continues to be a threat to economic progress, peace, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The Philippines expresses serious concern and strongly denounces the recent ballistic missile launches conducted by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

The agency added that North Korea’s actions undermine economic progress, peace, and stability in the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific region.

Pyongyang, on May 8, launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast, the South Korean military said last week.

“We renew our call on the DPRK to promptly cease these activities and abide by all international obligations, including relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, and to commit to peaceful and constructive dialogue,” the DFA said. — Adrian H. Halili

Proclamation of new senators set

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THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said it aims to proclaim the twelve new senators by Sunday, which it said is the fastest in the history of all Philippine elections.

Speaking in a post-election briefing, Chairman George Erwin M. Garcia said the proclamation for winning senators “won’t go on further than this week,” specifically on Sunday.

For party-lists, he said there may be a one-day gap.

“Because [if we can proclaim them by] Sunday, that’s the earliest proclamation in the history of our election,” he added.

He also rejected the idea of an early proclamation for Senate frontrunners.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), processed 58 out of 175 certificates of canvass (COCs) when it convened on Tuesday and aimed to canvass 100 on Wednesday.

“The ones that will pour out on the fourth or fifth day… Yesterday was 58. First time. Even if you research history, on the first day of canvassing, 58. In the past, if I remember, nothing was canvassed on the first day,” he said in Filipino.

The polls chief said that while the canvassing might be completed by Thursday, the Comelec would need an additional day or two to prepare the venue and address other logistical concerns for the proclamation ceremony.

In the May 9, 2022 national elections, the Comelec was able to proclaim the 12 winning senators by May 18, 2022. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

No decision yet on new SEC chief

BW FILE PHOTO

PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., has not yet decided whether he would replace or extend the term of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) chairman as his term ends on June 6, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said on Wednesday.

Palace Press officer Clarissa A. Castro, in a news briefing at the Palace, also belied a shortlist of five legal luminaries who may replace SEC Chairman Emilio B. Aquino.

“At this moment, we have not received any information about that. We will give you any updates if there are any,” she said.

She also did not provide a timeline for when Mr. Marcos would name the new chief of the country’s top corporate regulator.

The five people, earlier reported by the Philippine Star, who are in the running towards the SEC leadership are government corporate counsel Solomon M. Hermosura, SEC commissioner Rogelio V. Quevedo, former Government-Owned and/or Controlled Corporation (GOCC) chairman Cesar L. Villanueva, Romulo Mabanta counsel Susana C. Fong, and Philippine Stock Exchange Chief Operations Officer Roel A. Refran.

The Securities Regulation Code provides that a lawyer should serve as the SEC chairperson.

Mr. Aquino was appointed a commissioner by former President Rodrigo R. Duterte in 2016 and was elevated to chairman in 2018. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana

‘Very high’ turnout seen in polls

Voters line up at a voting precinct in Barangay Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. — BW FILE PHOTO

THE 2025 May midterm elections saw a “very high” voter turnout, with particularly strong participation in Mindanao, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) said on Wednesday.

In a press conference, PPCRV spokesperson Ana D. Singson said the parish-based watchdog recorded an estimated 80.27% turnout, led by a strong showing in Mindanao — an unlikely figure for a midterm election.

The figure is significantly higher than the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) target of at least 70% voter turnout, out of 68 million registered voters.   

“Very high turnout, especially in the southern regions. Usually, voter turnout is not as high, nalalayo siya (it differs) from the presidential election,” Ms. Singson said.   

“But this time, we had 80.27% of voters turning up… So, I think that means people are really excited.”

She added that the PPCRV will soon release its full report, allowing the public to see the regional voter turnout data.

In the 2022 presidential elections, the Comelec recorded a voter turnout of 82.6%, or 55.5 million out of 67.4 million registered voters, while a turnout of 75.95% was recorded in 2019.

Political scientist and retired University of the Philippines professor Clarita A. Carlos linked this to the increased youth participation in this election, with many hoping to change the current political landscape.   

“The young are sick and tired of the kind of politics we have, and the noise they’re hearing,” Ms. Carlos said in an interview.

“And I guess some part of it may have come from the realization of many that it is their responsibility to really participate. Otherwise, they have no reason, you know, to comment or even critique any of the actions of the government,” she added.   

According to COMELEC data, millennials and Gen Z voters account for 60.5% or 41,412,361 of the total 68,431,965 registered voters in the 2025 midterm elections.

Meanwhile, Ms. Singson called for more volunteers to join the PPCRV as more physical copies of election returns (ERs) arrive for the unofficial parallel count.

During this process, the PPCRV compares the physical ERs it receives with the digital ERs transmitted from the precincts.   

The PPCRV currently holds 11,860 physical ERs, or 12.71% of the total, and the watchdog expects more to come, Ms. Singson said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

PSALM remits P377.5M in 2024

STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management (PSALM) said it remitted a total of P377.51 million last year in a program intended to compensate communities and local government units (LGUs) hosting energy projects.

PSALM released P46.08 million in Energy Regulation (ER) 1-94 program and P241.72 million in Share in the National Wealth (SNW), the firm said in a statement on Tuesday.

ER No. 1-94 is a program intended to make sure that host communities get a reasonable share of the profit from power plants operating in their area.

Meanwhile, under the Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code of 1991, an LGU is entitled to receive an equitable share in the proceeds from the utilization and development of national wealth within their jurisdictions.

For PSALM, these proceeds come from 1% of the gross sales or receipts from the preceding calendar year. These funds, known as SNW, are intended to directly benefit the inhabitants of host communities.

Financial benefits from the ER 1-94 program were sourced from the Agus and Pulangi Hydroelectric Power Plants (HEPPs), as well as the Sual, Pagbilao, and Bakun power plants under independent power producer administrator (IPPA) arrangements.

On the other hand, SNW proceeds came from the Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power Plants, Agus and Pulangi HEPPs, and the Bakun and San Roque power plants under IPPA deals. — Sheldeen Joy Talavera

Japan, Manila eye deeper ICT ties

EMBASSY OF JAPAN IN THE PHILIPPINES FB PAGE

TOKYO and Manila said that they are seeking to deepen collaboration in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), following a meeting between the Japanese envoy and Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda.

“Both Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Secretary Aguda expressed readiness to collaborate more closely in advancing the strong economic relations between Japan and the Philippines through more comprehensive cooperation in ICT,” the Japanese Embassy in Manila said in a statement on Wednesday.

Mr. Endo said that the Japanese government has introduced various public and private initiatives in ICT advancement, including the Open Radio Access Network (Open RAN), cybersecurity, undersea cables, and digital terrestrial broadcasting systems.

“He also expressed Japan’s continued cooperation for the advancement of ICT in the Philippines,” the embassy said.

Mr. Aguda said that the Philippines is seeking to find “more avenues for cooperation” from Japan to support the Philippines’ digitalization goals. — Adrian H. Halili

Poll body stalls winning Benguet lawmaker’s proclamation

BAGUIO CITY — Re-elected Benguet lawmaker Eric Go Yap’s proclamation was suspended by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) following a reportedly “rehashed” disqualification case regarding his citizenship.

Mr. Yap won the Benguet lone congressional district’s race by a landslide, garnering 144,093 votes over vice-governor Ericson Felipe, who got 62,371 votes, Jerome Wakat with 765 votes, and Bok Mistah Siddayo with 312.

“In view of the foregoing, the Commision second division orders the suspension of the proclamation of respondent Eric Go Yap as Representative of Lone District of Benguet. The suspension of the proclamation shall be effective until further of the commission,” the order stated, as read by Comelec-Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Vanessa Roncal.

Mr. Yap said he remains unfazed by the “recycled citizenship issue.” “What’s important is that we won. There’s nothing to be worried about because the committee has yet to decide on the petition, considering the number of disqualification cases filed,” Mr. Yap confidently said in mixed English and Filipino.

The lawmaker added that the citizenship issue has long been resolved when he ran as Benguet congressman after he was appointed as legislative caretaker, following the death of the Rep. Nestor Fongwan Sr. in 2020.

“The issue of my citizenship has been dealt with in 2021,” added Mr. Yap. “Temporarily, they suspended my proclamation pending decision, but then we filed our response and submitted my birth certificate… Nothing will change. We’ll just have to wait for Comelec’s decision,” Mr. Yap assured.

Mr. Yap’s closest rival, Mr. Felipe, is also facing a disqualification case for abuse of government resources when he allegedly used a government-issued vehicle for his campaign sorties. — Artemio A. Dumlao

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