Manila, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) First Division has dismissed the election protest filed by former Catanduanes vice governor Peter “Boss Te” Cua against Governor Patrick Alain T. Azanza, declaring the case moot and academic.
In an order dated November 24, 2025, the First Division ruled that Cua had lost legal standing to continue the protest after the COMELEC En Banc issued a final decision disqualifying him as a candidate for governor in the May 12, 2025 national and local elections under SPA No. 25-003 (DC).
Cua’s election protest sought to nullify Azanza’s proclamation and to declare himself the duly elected governor of Catanduanes.
According to COMELEC records, Azanza filed his Verified Answer on June 3, 2025, followed by an order on June 26 for Cua to respond to the counterclaim. Cua submitted his Motion to Admit Answer to Counterclaim on July 4, while both parties filed their Preliminary Conference Briefs on August 26.
While the protest was pending, the COMELEC En Banc issued a ruling on August 19 granting Azanza’s Motion for Reconsideration in the disqualification case. The Supreme Court did not issue a Temporary Restraining Order within the five-day period, making the decision final and executory on August 28 based on the Certificate of Finality and Entry of Judgment.
The First Division cited the En Banc resolution stating that Cua’s disqualification meant he no longer had locus standi to challenge Azanza’s proclamation. (Francis Benedict | Bicol Peryodiko)
