The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has suspended the printing of official election ballots after the Supreme Court (SC) issued temporary restraining orders (TROs) preventing it from disqualifying several candidates in the 2025 midterm elections.
The poll body assured the High Court that it had immediately convened “on even date to forthwith set in motion contingency measures and fully comply with the subject Orders.”
The SC also prohibited Comelec from declaring Subair Guinthum Mustapha, a senatorial aspirant, and Charles Savellano, a candidate for Ilocos Sur’s 1st District representative, as nuisance candidates.
In a statement, Comelec announced the immediate cessation of ballot printing and all related activities at the National Printing Office (NPO).
“While these actions are indeed time-consuming and very costly, the Commission fully respects the decision of the Supreme Court, and we recognize these Orders as part of legal processes,” Comelec stated.
The poll body assured the public that while delays are inevitable, there is no reason for alarm.
“The Comelec is fully in control of the situation and will implement necessary contingency measures to mitigate such delays,” it added.
SC spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae Ting emphasized that the Comelec must comply with the High Court’s orders.
“The TROs prohibit Comelec from disqualifying these individuals. This means their names have to be included in the ballot. It is now up to Comelec to determine how to implement this, but they must follow the Supreme Court’s directive,” Ting explained.
In a related case, the SC underscored that a TRO is issued only in situations of extreme urgency, where grave injustice and irreparable injury would arise unless immediate action is taken. The burden of proof lies with the petitioner to establish a meritorious ground for the TRO’s issuance.
The rules governing TROs are outlined in Rule 58 of the Rules of Court.
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