MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) welcomed the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision allowing the poll body to conduct special elections to fill vacant congressional seats without requiring a declaration of vacancy from Congress.

“This strengthens the mandate of the Comelec that we can call special elections,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview.

Garcia said the Comelec would study the high court’s ruling further to understand the full extent of its authority.

“We just want to know the extent of the Commission’s authority to call special elections,” he said. “It would be great if we could read the decision giving us the discretion. We want to know what the parameters really are.”

The ruling came in response to a petition filed by Elroy John Hagedorn, who sought to compel the House of Representatives to issue a resolution certifying the vacancy in Palawan’s third legislative district and call for a special election. The seat became vacant following the death of his father, Rep. Edward Hagedorn, on October 3, 2023.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the petition, stating that Comelec has the authority to hold special elections without a House resolution.

In its decision, the high court cited Republic Act 7166, which amended Republic Act 6645, removing the requirement for a congressional resolution before the Comelec could initiate a special election. (PNA)