“Here, the Court respects, and indeed upholds the will of the electorate, not despite a candidate’s ineligibility, but because, from the evidence presented, there is no such ineligibility.
Accordingly, the Petition is GRANTED. The Resolution dated Oct. 22, 2025 of the Commission on Elections en banc in SPA No. 25-026 (DC) is hereby ANNULED and SET ASIDE.


Petitioner Susan Areno Yap-Sulit is declared ELIGIBLE to be elected Mayor of Tarlac City. Her proclamation as such is hereby UPHELD. The Status Quo Ante Order dated Nov. 4, 2025 is hereby MADE PERMANENT.”
Thus, the Supreme Court en banc rendered its decision on June 3, 2026 reversing
the Comelec resolution canceling Yap’s certificate of candidacy, and the Court upholding her eligibility to be mayor. Punto News Team


