THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division has cancelled the certificate of candidacy (CoC) of Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro, who sought to run as congressman for the city’s first district in the 2025 elections.
According to the Comelec, Teodoro committed material misrepresentation in his CoC regarding his residency in Barangay San Roque, located in Marikina’s first district.
The decision arose from separate petitions filed by Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, Katrina Mari Faye Marco, Angelu Estanislao, and Ma. Luisa de Guzman. They argued that Teodoro violated Section 78 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC) by falsely claiming residency in the district.
Claims of Misrepresentation
The petitioners alleged that Teodoro had only transferred his residency from Barangay Tumana in the second district to Barangay San Roque in the first district on February 28, 2024—just a month and 15 days before filing his CoC. They claimed he failed to demonstrate “substantial and verifiable overt acts” to prove his intention to re-establish residency in San Roque.
Additionally, they accused Teodoro of falsely certifying his eligibility to run for the House of Representatives despite failing to meet the minimum residency requirement.
Teodoro’s Defense
In his counter-affidavit, Teodoro stated that he had been residing in his ancestral home in Barangay San Roque since April 2024. He presented government records, utility bills, and witness testimonies as evidence of his residency. He also emphasized that he was born and raised in San Roque, asserting his qualification to run for office.
Comelec’s Findings
Despite Teodoro’s defense, the Comelec ruled in favor of the petitioners, stating that their evidence outweighed the mayor’s claims. The Comelec pointed to inconsistencies in Teodoro’s documented address history, including his driver’s license records and other official documents, as well as witness testimonies affirming his residency in Barangay Tumana.
“We painstakingly perused all the evidence submitted by both parties and found that the evidence of Petitioners outweighs that of the Respondent,” the resolution read. The Comelec concluded that Teodoro failed to prove he had re-established residency in San Roque for at least one year prior to the 2025 elections, as required by law.
“By declaring in his CoC the contrary, despite knowing fully well that he did not meet the minimum residency requirement, Respondent committed material misrepresentation which this Commission cannot countenance,” the First Division said.
Petitioners Prevail
The Comelec ordered the cancellation of Teodoro’s CoC for the position of Representative for Marikina’s first district, stating that the petitioners had sufficiently proven deliberate material misrepresentation on his part.
Teodoro to Appeal
Teodoro dismissed the decision as “political maneuvering” and vowed to file a motion for reconsideration (MR) before the Comelec en banc.
“We presented strong evidence that I have my domicile in the area. I’m no stranger to this district. Since I began running for office, I have always used that address,” Teodoro told GMA News Online.
He expressed confidence that the en banc would overturn the First Division’s decision. “We believe the Division erred in its appreciation of the evidence,” he said.
The case highlights the contentious political landscape ahead of the 2025 national and local elections.