Comelec says it complied with TROs

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced on Saturday its compliance with the latest temporary restraining orders (TROs) issued by the Supreme Court. In a statement, the Comelec said the names of Marie Grace David, Mary Dominique Oñate and Aldrin Sta. Ana will now be included in the official ballots, as reprinting begins next week. David is running for vice mayor of Limay, Bataan; Oñate for mayor of Palompon, Leyte; and Sta. Ana for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan. "The Comelec deems as timely the issuance of the three TROs mentioned, as the commission is currently implementing necessary changes in the Election Management System, Automated Election System (AES), Consolidated Canvassing System, and Online Voting and Counting System," the statement read. On Friday, the Supreme Court issued three more TROs, following an earlier directive involving five candidates, which required the Comelec to halt printing at the National Printing Office in Quezon City and dispose of 6 million ballots already printed since Jan. 6. In Limay, Bataan, the Court issued a TRO in response to a petition filed by David, who sought substitution and inclusion as an official candidate for vice mayor. The TRO prohibits the Comelec from implementing its earlier resolution dismissing David's candidacy. The Court gave the Comelec 15 days to submit its comments on David's petition, stressing the need for prompt action. In Palompon, Leyte, the Supreme Court blocked the enforcement of Comelec resolutions declaring Oñate a nuisance candidate for the mayoral race. Both the Comelec and the opposing candidate, Myra Georgina Arevalo, have been ordered to file their comments within 10 days. In Bocaue, Bulacan, the Supreme Court intervened to halt the implementation of Comelec resolutions, canceling Sta. Ana's certificate of candidacy (COC) for mayor. The TRO also prevents the removal of Sta. Ana's name from the official list of candidates. The Comelec and Sta. Ana's opponent, Arturo Mendoza Jr., must submit their comments within 10 days. Acknowledging the Supreme Court's recent rulings, the Comelec confirmed full compliance with these TROs, which necessitate the cessation of ballot printing and junking of 6 million printed ballots already prepared for the elections. The Comelec emphasized that the issuance of these TROs coincides with a crucial period of election preparation. The poll body is in the process of implementing significant upgrades to the Election Management System, Automated Election System, Consolidated Canvassing System, and Online Voting and Counting System. Despite the disruptions caused by the TROs, the Comelec assured stakeholders that these mandates would be promptly executed before the conduct of the trusted build of the election software and reprinting of official ballots scheduled for next week. New ballot templates will be generated and serialized at the Comelec warehouse at Laguna Technopark Annex in Biñan City on Jan. 21. Ballot production is expected to resume shortly thereafter. WITH PNA