MANILA, 7 JULY 2025 – the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday gave the go-signal for the proclamation of Bienvenido “Benny” Abante as the duly elected member of the House of Representatives for the 6th District of Manila in the May 12 elections.
This was after the poll body issued the Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment on the decision of the Comelec en banc last month that voided the proclamation of Luis “Joey” Chua Uy as Manila 6th District representative.
“Now therefore, in view of the foregoing, the Resolution of the Commission (En Banc) promulgated on 30 June 2025 is hereby declared immediately executory in accordance with the Comelec Rules of Procedure,” the certificate said.
The Comelec, which also junked Uy’s motion for reconsideration, noted that there was no temporary restraining order (TRO) issued against the decision of the Comelec en banc favoring Abante.
“Whereas, the records show that no restraining order has been issued by the Supreme Court within five days from receipt of the parties of the Resolution that would preclude the 30 June 2025 Resolution of this Commission (En Banc) from being final and executory,” it said.
Uy garnered 64,746 votes in the May 12 elections against Abante’s 63,358.
The Comelec, however, said Uy is not a natural-born citizen but a “naturalized citizen,” which contradicts his declaration in his certificate of candidacy (COC).
The en banc’s ruling said Uy never contested the authenticity of the identification certificate issued by the Bureau of Immigration, which recognized him as a naturalized Filipino citizen.
It was Abante who questioned Uy’s citizenship before the poll body.
Under the 1987 Constitution, “no person shall be a member of the House of Representatives unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines.”
Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the issuance of the Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment allows the proclamation of Abante.
“This signals that the decision of the Comelec may already be implemented, wherein the Respondent is being removed and the Petitioner is being allowed to assume the post,” he said in an interview on Monday.
