MANILA, Philippines — Five aspirants are running in the special congressional elections in the lone legislative district of Dasmariñas, Cavite, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday.
The Comelec received a total of five certificates of candidacy (COCs) during the period of filing on July 15-17, 2026.
The special elections will be held on August 29, 2026 after former lawmaker Francisco “Kiko” Barzaga was expelled by the House of Representatives last June 2 for “disruptive” and “disorderly” behavior.
READ: Comelec sets July 15-17 as COC filing period for Dasmariñas polls
Incumbent Dasmariñas City Mayor Jennifer Austria Barzaga, the mother of the former lawmaker, is among those who is gunning for the position.
She was accompanied by her son Third, the current vice mayor of the city.
The other four candidates are former Vice Mayor Raul Rex Del Rosario, Marvin Opamin Dupal-ag, Leysander Aguilar, and Jacinto Bautista Frani Jr.
Kiko and Frani were tight rivals in the 2025 midterm elections.
The Comelec earlier said that it will need a budget of P191 million for the conduct of elections.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia explained that the poll body needs such an amount since there are over 437,000 registered voters in the district, which will need more election materials and honoraria for teachers who will serve as electoral board members on election day.
READ: Comelec sets special polls in Barzaga’s district in Cavite Aug. 29
Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco then said that the poll body has secured a source for the funds, but he said that it continues to appeal for an additional budget.
He noted that the poll body already spent its budget for this year allocated for this kind of activity as it conducted special elections in the second legislative district of Antipolo City on March 14, 2026 following the passing of former lawmaker Romeo Acop.
Meanwhile, the poll body said that the election period will run from July 30, 2026 to September 13, 2026, with the gun ban to be implemented only in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
“During this period, carrying or transporting firearms or other weapons is prohibited in public places, including any buildings, parks, roads, and private cars even if these bear licenses, unless granted authority by the Commission on Elections,” the Comelec said in a statement.
The campaign period is scheduled from July 30, 2026 to August 27, 2026. Garcia earlier said that the aspiring legislative representatives will already be considered candidates on the day they file their COCs.
With this, the candidates will not be allowed to engage in any campaign-related activities from July 17 to July 29, as premature campaigning is not allowed. /gsg
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