Comelec lifts proclamation suspension vs. Manila councilor

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc on Wednesday lifted the suspension on the proclamation of Darwin Sia, who won a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the second district of Manila in the 2025 national and local elections (NLE). 

According to a ruling dated June 18, this is in compliance with a temporary restraining order (TRO) the Supreme Court (SC) issued against the Comelec decision in May. 

“In compliance with the TRO issued by the SC on 22 May 2025 enjoining the Commission on Elections from implementing the Resolution of the Commission (Second Division) and the Commission (En Banc) in SPA No. 24-263 (DC) promulgated on 21 March 2025 and 05 May 2025, respectively, the Order of the Commission (En Banc) dated 12 May 2025 insofar as the Respondent Darwin B. Sia is concerned, is hereby lifted, effective immediately,” the ruling reads.

“The City Board of Canvassers of the 2nd District of Manila, are hereby directed to reconvene within five days from the receipt of this Order for the purpose of proceeding with the proclamation of Respondent as a winning candidate for the position of Member, Sangguniang Panglungsod in the 2nd District of the City of Manila,” it added. 

Sia was disqualified for material misrepresentation when he filed his candidacy despite being convicted of electricity pilferage, which, according to the Comelec, constitutes moral turpitude.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, an individual is disqualified to be a candidate for an elective position and to hold any office if such a person has been sentenced by a final judgment for a crime involving moral turpitude.

The Comelec en banc upheld the decision to cancel his COC earlier this month.

Despite the Comelec's decision, Sia garnered the highest number of votes for councilor in Manila's second district in the May 12 elections. —LDF, GMA Integrated News