The Commission on Elections says former representative Kiko Barzaga remains eligible to run in the special election in Dasmariñas, Cavite despite his expulsion from the House of Representatives.
COMELEC Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the expulsion is administrative in nature and does not carry perpetual disqualification from public office. “In this case, there is no such additional penalty,” Garcia said. Eligibility remains subject to requirements such as age, citizenship and literacy. The poll body is eyeing a special election in August, possibly on Aug. 22 or Aug. 29. Any challenge could be resolved by the courts.