Comelec-7 director outlines election protest realities amid Rama's filing

As former Cebu City mayor Michael Rama pursues an election protest following his third-place finish in the 2025 midterm polls, Commission on Elections (Comelec)- 7 Director Francisco Pobe laid out the reality of the process and the uncertainty of its outcome, which may not favor the protestant.

- Iris Hazel Mascardo Staff Member

In an interview Tuesday, Pobe explained that filing an election protest essentially challenges the proclaimed results.

To do this, he said, the protestant must allege, disprove, and dispute that there were “irregularities and anomalies” committed during the election.

According to him, these factors are crucial, as they give the candidate a chance to reverse the decision and have the results proclaimed in their favor.

Upon filing an election protest, Pobe said there are chances that a hearing will follow, just like in any court. This hearing gives all parties a chance to explain and respond.

As for the request for a manual recount, Pobe said this will be at the discretion of either the court or the Comelec.

He explained that a manual recount must be undertaken by a committee, with options for physical counting of ballots or rechecking the digital storage where results are kept.

If the manual recount is granted, Pobe said the protestant must specify the area being contested.