REELECTED Congressman Benny Abante, Jr. thanked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc for denying the motion for reconsideration filed by Luis “Joey” Chua Uy and affirming the earlier ruling of its Second Division declaring Uy’s candidacy void from the beginning. It also ordered the proclamation of Abante as duly elected congressman of Manila’s 6th District.
Abante said the decision is a reaffirmation that in public service, the truth matters—and that the rule of law must prevail over misrepresentation and the temptation to win at all costs.
“I thank the Comelec for its courage and clarity. In upholding the law, it also upheld the truth. This case is more than just a personal victory. It highlights the importance of protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions and ensuring that those who seek public office do so with honesty and transparency. Our constituents—the people of Manila—deserve no less. They deserve leaders who are open about who they are, faithful to the Constitution and respectful of the sacred trust that comes with public service,” said Abante.
The Comelec En Banc, in its resolution dated June 30, 2025, reiterated that Uy falsely claimed to be a natural-born Filipino citizen when he filed his certificate of candidacy (CoC) as 6th district Manila Congressman.
“Accordingly, “the Motion for Reconsideration is denied…the resolution dated 18 June 2025 is affirmed. The proclamation of… Chua.. as the duly elected Member of the House of Representatives for the Sixth District of the City of Manila is hereby annulled,” the Comelec said, as it directed the Board of Canvassers of the City of Manila to reconvene and proclaim Abante as the only qualified candidate and duly-elected for the post.
Describing the ruling as more than just a personal victory, Abante explained that it also “highlights the importance of protecting the integrity of our democratic institutions and ensuring that those who seek public office do so with honesty and transparency.”
“Our constituents—the people of Manila—deserve no less. They deserve leaders who are open about who they are, faithful to the Constitution, and respectful of the sacred trust that comes with public service,” added Abante.
To his constituents, Abante said: “…thank you for your prayers, your faith and your patience. I return to Congress humbled by this responsibility and resolved to continue serving with the same values I have always upheld: faith in God, love for our kababayan and respect for the Rule of Law.”
In its ruling, the Comelec En Banc said it has continuing jurisdiction to resolve questions of qualification even after a candidate has been proclaimed.
“For the Commission to turn a blind eye to a question still under its jurisdiction would be to abdicate its constitutional duty to safeguard the sanctity of our elections,” the ruling stated.
The Comelec said it also addressed the crux of the issue: Uy’s claim that he is a natural-born citizen. The Commission cited evidence showing that Uy was born in 1962 to a Chinese father who only became a naturalized Filipino in 1967, and to a mother who had lost her Filipino citizenship by virtue of marriage to a foreign national, as was the legal consequence under the 1935 Constitution.
It emphasized that Uy’s citizenship was not acquired by birth but derived through the naturalization of his father and confirmed through an Identification Certificate issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
“Being a naturalized Filipino citizen, respondent is, thus, not qualified to run for and be elected as a member of the House of Representatives,” the resolution stated.
While Uy questioned the admissibility of the Identification Certificates submitted against him, the Comelec stressed that he actually disputed the authenticity of its contents, which “amounts to an implied admission that the Certificates were, in fact, issued to him and his parents.”
The Commission concluded that all votes cast for Uy were stray votes and that Abante, as the only qualified candidate who obtained the highest number of valid votes, must be proclaimed.
