SC ruling allows Aeta leader to challenge Zambales gov in May polls
OLONGAPO CITY—Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane, who is seeking his third and final term in the May elections, will no longer run unopposed following a Supreme Court ruling that reversed the disqualification of Aeta leader Chito Balintay as a gubernatorial candidate.
“This ruling reaffirms my belief in our democratic processes and the importance of representation for all voices, especially those of the indigenous peoples,” Balintay said in a statement after learning of the Supreme Court’s decision.
The high court’s ruling also ordered the suspension of ballot printing for the upcoming elections to accommodate Balintay and four other candidates in the country whose applications were previously rejected by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The Zambales Comelec office had rejected Balintay’s certificate of candidacy (COC) on Oct. 8, 2024—the last day for filing—claiming it was filed late.
According to Balintay, he arrived at the Comelec office at 4:35 p.m., or 25 minutes before the 5 p.m. deadline, but was informed by a clerk that his COC was incomplete due to missing documentary stamps and an additional copy of the form. He was advised to return with the required documents.
However, when Balintay returned at 5:03 p.m., Comelec denied his submission, asserting the filing period had closed.
Provincial Election Officer Cristina Garcia-Guiao admitted her office had instructed Balintay to complete his COC but said she had already closed the log sheet of candidates by the time he returned. The Comelec en banc upheld this decision in a Dec. 13, 2024, resolution, prompting Balintay to elevate the matter to the Supreme Court.
In his petition, Balintay argued that Comelec’s refusal to accept his COC over a three-minute delay constituted an unlawful refusal to perform a ministerial duty.
The Supreme Court sided with Balintay, noting he had arrived at the Comelec office well within the filing period and that his disqualification was unjust. The high court ordered Comelec to reinstate Balintay’s name on the official list of candidates for Zambales governor.
Balintay, a prominent Aeta leader, has served as the Indigenous Peoples’ representative in the Zambales Provincial Board. He was also the first provincial officer of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples in Zambales.
Hailing the Supreme Court’s decision, Balintay expressed his commitment to champion the values and rights of indigenous communities, saying, “This election is vital for the future of Zambales, as it is about values, integrity and the opportunity for the people of Zambales to choose their leaders based on these principles.”
The Inquirer reached out to Ebdane for comment on Friday, but he has not issued a statement as of press time.
