Tarlac City mayor to challenge Comelec disqualification order

Following the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) en banc decision disqualifying her from the 2025 mayoral race, Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap-Sulit vowed to fight the ruling and exhaust all legal remedies available to her.

Calling the decision “unfair” to the voters who gave her their mandate, Yap-Sulit said she would not allow a “technicality” to overturn the will of the people.

“Tarlac City is my home, my life, and my heart. Respect and uphold the people’s vote,” the mayor said in a statement, stressing that her disqualification “cannot erase a mandate freely given.”

In its ruling, the Comelec en banc declared Yap-Sulit ineligible to hold public office after finding that she failed to meet the mandatory one-year residency requirement under the Local Government Code. The Commission also annulled her proclamation as mayor.

“Wherefore, premises considered, the Comelec en banc resolved, as it hereby resolves, to grant the motion for reconsideration filed by Amado de Leon and Jay-Ar Navarro dated April 21, 2025. The resolution of the Commission Second Division dated April 14, 2025 is hereby reversed and set aside,” the ruling read.

“Consequently, Susan Areno Yap-Sulit is ineligible to be elected as Mayor of Tarlac City. Hence, her proclamation is hereby annulled,” it added, noting that the rule of succession will apply if the decision becomes final and executory.

Despite the setback, Yap-Sulit said she remains hopeful that higher authorities will reverse the decision, reaffirming her commitment to continue serving the people of Tarlac City. TRACY CABRERA