MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec)  announced it has suspended the proclamation of 19 candidates — both in local and national races — due to unresolved cases lodged before the poll body.

Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the Commission en banc gave the go signal to hold off the proclamation of the candidates whose legal issues remain pending.

“The Comelec Clerk of the Commission was instructed by the en banc and the Divisions to release 19 orders of suspension,” Garcia told reporters during a press briefing.

He declined to name the candidates affected, but hinted that the list could expand. 

“It is possible that the orders of suspension directed against certain individuals or candidates may increase as we move on with the day,” he said.

Garcia explained that while the affected candidates may have garnered enough votes to win, their proclamations are being put on hold because the cases they are facing have yet to be resolved with finality.

“The suspension is based on the merits of the cases, which are still not final and executory,” he said.