By Perfecto T. Raymundo, Jr.
MARIKINA City — Marikina (1st District) congressional candidate Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro on Tuesday (May 13) called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to respect the choice of the electorate and proceed with his immediate proclamation, saying that technicalities must not override the people’s will.
Comelec-Marikina announced on Tuesday that Teodoro won the congressional race in the first district of Marikina with 75,062. His rival, Koko Pimentel only garnered 29,031 votes.
“It is with utmost respect that I now appeal to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to uphold this mandate by proceeding with my immediate proclamation as duly elected Representative of the 1st District of Marikina City. Technicalities must never be allowed to override the sovereign will of the people,” Teodoro said.
“Vox populi, vox Dei—the voice of the people is the voice of God,” he added.
Teodoro said that his victory was not just personal, but a reflection of the people’s clear and deliberate choice in the May 12 polls.
“I do not view this as a personal victory, but as a powerful expression of our people’s collective will—an expression that must be respected, not obstructed,” he stressed.
Teodoro underscored that in a democracy, the vote is sacred and must not be overturned by questionable claims.
“To hold otherwise would disenfranchise the thousands who stood in long lines to cast their votes. The people have spoken—and their voice, in a democracy, is sacred,” he said.
Backed by jurisprudence and his long-standing connection to Marikina, Teodoro insisted that there is no legal basis to disqualify him and that the process must not be used to frustrate the people’s choice.
“So I stand before you today, not asking for special treatment—but for what is right. I ask the Commission to uphold what the law and the people have made clear: the voters of the 1st District have spoken, and their decision deserves to be proclaimed,” he said.
“The authority to govern flows not from accusations—but from the electorate,” he added. ###
