MARIKINA CITY, Philippines – Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro declared on Wednesday that he remains a legitimate candidate for the First Congressional District of Marikina City, despite the Commission on Elections (Comelec) First Division’s decision to cancel his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) over alleged misrepresentation of his residency.

Teodoro announced his intention to file a Motion for Reconsideration, emphasizing that the Comelec resolution is not yet final and executory.

“I will file a Motion for Reconsideration, and I have five days from today within which to do so. The resolution is not yet final and, for all intents and purposes, I am still a legitimate candidate for Member of the House of Representatives of the First District of Marikina,” Teodoro stressed.

Under Comelec rules, specifically Resolution No. 11046, the filing of a Motion for Reconsideration suspends the implementation of a division’s ruling.

Teodoro Disputes Residency Misrepresentation Claim

The Comelec claimed Teodoro failed to meet the requirement of residing in the first district for at least one year before the May 2025 elections. The resolution also accused him of materially misrepresenting his residency in his COC.

“Nonetheless, that Respondent deliberately and materially misrepresented the fact of his residency in the First District is enough of a ground to cancel or deny due course [to] his CoC,” the Comelec decision stated.

Teodoro countered the ruling, asserting that his transfer of voter registration and residency had already been approved by the local Comelec Election Registration Board (ERB).

During an interview with Teleradyo, Teodoro said:
“We’re still waiting for the decision, iyong resolution. Wala pa akong kopya. Pero at any rate, we will file a Motion for Reconsideration. The decision of the division is not yet final naman. We’re in [a] quandary bakit nga kinansel. There’s no material representation naman dahil Animus Revertendi, ako’y residente naman noong address na iyan.”

When asked if he had met the one-year residency requirement, Teodoro answered:
“For a year.”

He added that the burden of proof lies with those alleging the violation:
“The proof is not with me. The burden of proof lies [on] kung sino ang nag-allege, iyong nag-accuse.”

Teodoro also explained that his voter registration had already been accepted and upheld by Comelec, emphasizing that the legal challenges he faces are politically motivated.

Political Undercurrents

Teodoro characterized the legal challenge as politically motivated, pointing out that one of the petitioners, Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, is running for the same congressional seat.

“The fact that two petitions were filed against me shows that there are political underpinnings that [are] geared towards my removal from the electoral race. I will not allow this to happen and will exhaust all legal remedies available to me,” Teodoro explained.

“It is worth noting that the purpose of the residency requirement is to prevent a stranger or a newcomer who is unacquainted with the conditions and needs of a community and not identified with such community from seeking an elective office to serve the constituents of that community,” he said.

A Native of Marikina

Mayor Teodoro defended his candidacy by underscoring his long-standing ties to Marikina’s first district, where he was born and has served in various capacities—as a councilor, the district’s first congressional representative, and currently as mayor.

“Alam ng tao rito sa Marikina kung ano iyong totoo. Saka hindi naman ako estranghero. Araw-araw narito ako. Alam nila mayor nila ako. Alam nila naging congressman nila ako sa distrito na iyon. Konsehal ako sa distrito na iyon,” Teodoro stated, emphasizing his 30 years of public service in the district. “I’m being voted [for] in the same district in the past 30 years. Kaya nga parang panliligaw itong kasong ito.”

Teodoro further expressed confidence in the judgment of Marikina’s residents:
“Maaaring iyong sa hindi taga-Marikina baka maguluhan. Pero ako naniniwala sa mga taga-Marikina. Malinaw naman kung sino ako, saan ako naninirahan. Malinaw iyan e.”

Teodoro also highlighted that the Comelec First Division acknowledged his deep roots in the district.
“No less than the First Division of the Comelec affirmed that I am not a stranger or newcomer in the First District of Marikina. They also acknowledged that I was born here and even served as the first representative of the district,” he stressed.

He refuted claims of residency misrepresentation, stating that his change of voter registration and residence from one district to another had been properly approved by the local Comelec Election Registration Board (ERB).
“They found nothing wrong with my change of voter registration and residence,” Teodoro emphasized.

Amid the controversy, Teodoro reaffirmed his dedication to Marikina and vowed to persevere despite the challenges.

“Patuloy akong maglilingkod sa taumbayan sa kabila ng mga balakid at ako’y nangangako na ipagpapatuloy ang lahat ng mga programa na aking nasimulan para sa kapakanan ng Marikina,” he said.

As the legal battle unfolds, Teodoro faces the challenge of overturning the Comelec decision to secure his place on the ballot, relying on his record and the trust of Marikina’s residents to see him through.

📷 Marikina PIO