Comelec division disqualifies Porac, Pampanga mayor

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division has disqualified reelectionist Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil in the recent May midterm elections over an Ombudsman decision, dismissing him from service over alleged ties to illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) activities. 

In an eight-page order, the poll body division granted a petition filed by mayoral bet Michael Legaspi Tapang, which sought to disqualify Capil from Eleksyon 2025. This came following a ruling of the anti-graft court in April, which found the re-electionist mayor guilty of gross neglect of duty and dismissed him from public service. 

The Comelec ruled that the Ombudsman’s decision bars Capil from seeking any elective local position as stipulated under Section 40 (b) of the Local Government Code. It also declared the votes cast in favor of Capil as stray. 

“To permit a candidate who is administratively disqualified to run for office would render the constitutional and statutory sanctions imposed by the Ombudsman inutile, effectively frustrating the ends of administrative discipline and making a mockery of the electoral process,” the Comelec decision read. 

“The Comelec, as a constitutional commission, is duty-bound to protect the sanctity of elections and ensure that only qualified and eligible individuals are allowed to run for public office. Hence, this Commission must exercise its administrative authority to cancel the COC and disqualify any candidate suffering from the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification imposed by the Office of the Ombudsman, even if the decision is pending appeal, unless judicially restrained,” it said. 

“To do otherwise would be an abdication of its duty to uphold the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process,” it added. 

Asked about the ruling, Capil said he would file an appeal.

"We will file an MR (motion for reconsideration) to Comelec . The Omb (Ombudsman) case, which is the basis of the Comelec case, is not final so Comelec cannot DQ (disqualify) me on this basis. I am presumed innocent. My votes cannot be considered stray," Capil told GMA News Online.

Capil has secured a third consecutive term as mayor in the 2025 May elections despite facing controversy over alleged links to  Lucky South 99 — a POGO facility in Porac that drew national attention and triggered a broader government crackdown on illegal operations.

He garnered a total of 39,939 votes, successfully fending off challengers former Vice Mayor Atty. Charlie Santos (3,744) and Michael “Mike” Tapang (23,063). Running alongside the reelectionist mayor was his daughter, Jen Capil, who clinched the vice mayoralty with 39,342 votes as against the 25,926 votes of Vincent Lusung, the running mate of Tapang. 

Meanwhile, the Comelec Second Division has ordered the Porac Municipal Board of Canvassers to reconvene and make necessary corrections in the certificate of canvass of votes and proclamation; and to proclaim the candidate with the highest number of votes. 

According to the Comelec, voter turnout in Porac reached 84.97%, with over 80,000 registered voters participating in the electoral exercise. The town comprises 29 barangays— the largest municipality in Pampanga.—With Sherylin Untalan/LDF, GMA Integrated News