Comelec Confirms Benny Abante’s Victory in Manila’s 6th District

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has officially affirmed the victory of Bienvenido “Benny” Abante as the duly elected representative of Manila’s sixth district, issuing a certificate of finality that cements his position in Congress.

In a resolution dated June 7, the poll body declared that its earlier ruling on June 30—which upheld Abante’s win—is “immediately executory.” The Comelec also directed Manila’s Board of Canvassers to reconvene and formally proclaim Abante as the official winner of the 2025 congressional race.

The resolution follows a legal battle that stemmed from a disqualification case against Joey Uy, who had initially been declared the winner. Uy received 64,746 votes, surpassing Abante’s 63,358. However, the Comelec’s Second Division nullified Uy’s proclamation on June 18 after ruling that he failed to meet the constitutional requirement of being a natural-born Filipino citizen.

According to the poll body, Uy only acquired Filipino citizenship through the naturalization of his father, disqualifying him from holding elective public office under Philippine law. This left Abante as the “only qualified candidate who garnered the highest number of votes,” the Comelec said in its June 30 en banc resolution.

With no temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court within five days of the parties receiving the ruling, the Comelec’s decision is considered final and executory.

Despite this development, Uy remains defiant. On July 1, he announced that he would file an appeal before the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the poll body’s ruling.

Abante, a veteran lawmaker and former House Minority Leader, welcomed the Comelec’s affirmation of his victory. In a brief statement, he thanked his constituents and vowed to continue serving with “honesty, humility, and integrity.”

Legal observers note that while Uy’s appeal to the Supreme Court is within his rights, the absence of a restraining order means Abante can now assume office and perform his legislative duties.

This decision marks the final chapter in a closely watched electoral dispute in Manila, reaffirming the importance of citizenship requirements in Philippine elections.