Former Caloocan City Representative Edgar Erice filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday, seeking to overturn his disqualification from running in the May 2025 elections.
Accompanied by supporters outside the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, Erice voiced his hope for a swift resolution to his case.
“I am filing a motion for reconsideration against my disqualification case. The Comelec should resolve this swiftly,” Erice said, expressing concern that delays might prevent his name from being included in the ballot.
Comelec Disqualification and Allegations
Comelec previously disqualified Erice for allegedly spreading false and alarming information regarding its agreement with South Korean firm Miru Systems Inc., a P17.99-billion contract for the 2025 polls.
Erice has denied the allegations, asserting his intent to contest the disqualification and, if necessary, elevate the case to the Supreme Court.
“I will wait for the Comelec decision. If they disqualify me, I will go to the Supreme Court to determine who is right,” he said.
Calls for Inhibition
Erice also urged the six members of the Comelec en banc who were involved in the Miru transaction to inhibit themselves from the case.
“They were part of the transaction with Miru and are among those I accused. They should inhibit themselves for fairness,” he argued.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia, who has already recused himself from the case, questioned Erice’s logic.
“Why did he file an MR if he wants the en banc to inhibit? Who would decide the case if all commissioners recuse themselves?” Garcia remarked.
Previous Actions
Erice has also sought to nullify the Comelec-Miru Systems deal through a petition with the Supreme Court and has filed an anti-graft complaint against Garcia with the Office of the Ombudsman.
The former legislator remains firm in contesting his disqualification, saying he will exhaust all legal remedies to ensure his candidacy for the 2025 elections.