The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) clarified that it cannot proclaim a replacement for Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co unless the House of Representatives first declares his seat vacant.
COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body is waiting for the official communication from the Lower House before moving forward.
“The HOR needs to write to us, for us to be able to issue a new proclamation. We are waiting for the HOR’s letter,” Garcia explained in a phone interview Tuesday.
If the House confirms the vacancy, Comelec will follow Ako Bicol’s submitted list of nominees, with Jan Franz Almario Chan, the third nominee, next in line to assume the congressional post.
“The third nominee on the list submitted to us will be replacing him (Co) and become the new congressman,” Garcia added.
Ako Bicol secured two seats in Congress during the May 2025 polls, garnering 1,073,119 votes. Co and Alfredo Garbin were earlier proclaimed as its representatives.
Co resigned on Monday amid allegations linking him to anomalous flood control projects. He earlier said their group will formally inform the House of his replacement.
Garcia also noted that based on Co’s Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) in the 2022 elections, no contractors were recorded as donors.
“In 2022, we didn’t see any companies that contributed… We just don’t (know) if we’ll see any in the 2025 (polls),” he pointed out in a separate virtual interview.