Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante is officially back in the House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, July 8, the Office of the Election Officer of Manila’s 3rd District in Ermita formally proclaimed Abante as the duly-elected representative following a decision by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) en banc to cancel the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of his opponent, former Manila Councilor Joey Uy, over citizenship issues.
Abante, who was initially defeated by Uy in the 2025 elections with 63,358 votes against Uy’s 65,746, was reinstated after the COMELEC ruled Uy ineligible to run for public office.
Uy’s camp has questioned the decision, noting that he had previously been elected as councilor multiple times in Manila.
Uy was backed by former Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso, while Abante was supported by former Mayor Honey Lacuna.
Abante’s return solidifies his position as Manila’s 6th District Representative as Congress resumes sessions later this month.