The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced that it will enforce this week the disqualification order against Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap-Sulit over her alleged failure to meet the one-year residency requirement prior to the 2025 elections.
According to the poll body, Yap-Sulit was proven not to be a resident of Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City, a case that was initially dismissed by the COMELEC Second Division but later overturned.
COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Erwin Garcia said the agency will revoke Yap-Sulit’s proclamation as the duly elected mayor, in coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The disqualified mayor, however, vowed to exhaust all legal remedies to contest the ruling and clear her name.
“We will take all legal steps to fight for the truth,” she said, adding that she is ready to submit documents and evidence to disprove the accusations against her.
Yap-Sulit emphasized that while the process continues, she will remain focused on performing her duties as mayor and called on the public and election officials to respect the will of the voters.
Under the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mangudadatu vs. COMELEC, should the disqualification stand, Vice Mayor KT Angeles will automatically assume the position of Tarlac City Mayor.