SC issues TROs for Erice, Mustapha, Savellano, Balintay, Ritualo

The Supreme Court issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) on Tuesday, January 14, prohibiting the Commission on Elections from disqualifying former congressman Edgar Erice and four other candidates from the May elections.

SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Ting announced that Comelec must comment on Erice's petition within 10 days and Mustapha’s and Savellano’s petitions within five days, requiring their names to be included in the ballot.

Erice was disqualified by Comelec for allegedly spreading false and alarming information under Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code. The SC also granted TROs for Senate bet Subair Guinthum Mustapha and Ilocos Sur 1st District congressional bet Charles Savellano, who were declared nuisance candidates.

Zambales gubernatorial candidate Chito Bulatao Balintay and San Juan 1st District city council bet Florendo de Ramos Ritualo Jr. also secured TROs from the SC with Comelec required to comment within 10 days for both cases.

Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the poll body would find a way to comply with the SC directive, potentially including changes to the election management system and ballot printing process.