Comelec Affirms Arrest Warrant Against Porac Mayor Unrelated to Disqualification Case

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, clarified that the recently issued arrest warrant against Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil does not affect the pending disqualification case concerning the May 2025 elections.\n\nComelec Chairman George Garcia emphasized in an interview that the electoral body treats the criminal charges and the administrative disqualification case as separate matters. "The court's action regarding a criminal case has no effect on us. That's a separate case altogether," Garcia stated. He further explained, "For us, what is pending is a purely administrative case for disqualification."\n\nThe arrest warrant was issued by the Pasig City Regional Trial Court in connection with allegations involving illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities in Porac.\n\nIn late May 2025, the Comelec Second Division ordered Capil's disqualification, citing his dismissal by the Office of the Ombudsman the previous month for gross neglect of duty. In response, Capil filed a motion for reconsideration (MR) before the Comelec en banc.\n\nChairman Garcia revealed that the Comelec en banc is currently deliberating on the motion and that a decision may be released imminently. "The case is currently being resolved by the en banc... Let’s see what the en banc's decision will be, whether the decision by the division will be affirmed or reversed," he said.\n\nHe assured the public that the commission is prioritizing the matter and expects a ruling soon. "We just want to guarantee that the Comelec is prioritizing it. The decision on that matter could be released anytime," Garcia added.