
IN December of last year, the Commission on Elections revoked the certificate of candidacy (COC) of Marikina City Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro for the 1st District representative in the 2025 elections. The Comelec’s 1st Division determined that Teodoro had made a “material misrepresentation” by falsely asserting his eligibility for the congressional seat. This ruling was based on the fact that he had not re-established residence in the district for the required period. Although Teodoro was born in the 1st District and had previously served as its representative in Congress, the Comelec concluded that he had changed his domicile to the 2nd District, where he currently resides.
The crux of the case lies in Teodoro’s failure to prove that he had re-established residence in the 1st District for at least one year prior to the election. His use of his previous address in the 2nd District for various legal documents and the testimonies of witnesses who had not seen him residing in the 1st District supported the Comelec’s decision. The commission emphasized the importance of actual physical presence for a candidate to claim domicile in a specific area, rejecting Teodoro’s submission of utility bills and voter registration transfer as insufficient proof of residence.
However, the Comelec’s ruling is not final. Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia has stated that the decision could be reversed if Teodoro presents compelling new evidence or arguments in his motion for reconsideration. There have been precedents where candidates successfully overturned disqualification rulings through strong appeals, and Teodoro’s case could follow a similar trajectory.
Amid this legal battle, and while Teodoro continues to enjoy support from Marikina residents, recent survey results paint a different picture. The latest “Pulso ng Marikenyo” survey for the period of December 16-30, 2024 shows Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III leading the race for Marikina’s First District representative with 2,200 votes, compared to Teodoro’s 600 votes.
Despite Teodoro’s popularity and the backing of his supporters, the survey indicates a significant lead for Pimentel. This gap raises questions about how much the disqualification case has influenced public opinion, and whether Teodoro’s legal issues have weakened his political standing in the district.
While Teodoro’s name may still appear on the ballot, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia has clarified that a canceled candidacy means that votes cast in his favor would be considered “stray,” and will not count toward the final tally. Teodoro’s political future in Marikina hinges on whether his motion for reconsideration will succeed.
In the meantime, Pimentel’s lead in the polls shows growing support and a strong campaign presence, suggesting that the legal and political battle for Marikina’s First District is far from over.