The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has initiated disqualification cases against Cebu City vice mayor candidate Jose 'Joey' Daluz III and 23 other candidates participating in the 2025 national and local elections.

The allegations pertain to violations concerning the posting of campaign materials.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia announced on May 7, 2025, that the Task Force Baklas has formally filed these cases with the agency’s legal department.

This action follows the candidates' failure to comply with multiple notices to remove illegally posted campaign materials.

Chairman Garcia emphasized the need for decisive action, stating that the task force would ensure that candidates facing such cases would not be proclaimed winners should they succeed in the elections.

He highlighted the importance of maintaining jurisdiction, noting that if a candidate is proclaimed, it could transfer jurisdiction to the electoral tribunal, complicating oversight.

In response to the allegations, Daluz communicated to local media that he had not received any notices from the Comelec regarding the campaign material violations.

Daluz, a former Cebu City councilor and former chairman of the Metropolitan Cebu Water District board, is contesting the vice mayor position under the Kusug Panaghiusa coalition, alongside current Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia.

The list of candidates facing disqualification also includes notable figures such as Valenzuela Second District Representative Eric Martinez, who is campaigning for a senatorial seat.

Additional candidates implicated in the disqualification cases represent various municipalities, including:

Taytay, Rizal: Ma. Jeca Burgos Villanueva, Estregan Peralta Cayton, Gerald James Vergara Cruz, Jan Gerick Galido Francisco, Emmanuel Santos Gonzaga, Inigo Marco Cruz Jurado, and Jan Allyson Villarez Lopez.

National Capital Region: John Ervic Manalo Vijandre (San Juan City), Ronwaldo Cruz Angeles (Pasig), Niño Anthony Liwanag Magno, Angela Lei Ilagan Atienza Valdepeñas, and Gerardo Enriquez Gamez (Manila).

Bulacan: Salvador Dungao Violago and Wilhelmino Manucdoc Sy-Alvarado (province), Christopher Felipe Clemente (Baliwag), and Ronaldo Marcelo Tibayan Jr. (Pulilan).

Pampanga: Allan Pineda Onofre and Elimar Ventura (Mexico), Raco Paolo Sundiam Del Rosario (Angeles City), Shiwen Pamintuan Lim (third district), Maria Lourdes Mamawan Alejandrino (Arayat), and Niko Pangan Gonzales (Magalang).

Since the commencement of the local campaign period on March 28, the Comelec has actively engaged in the removal of campaign materials that violate size limits, employ inappropriate materials, or are displayed in prohibited locations such as electric posts or trees.

Additionally, García reported that the Comelec has received approximately 300 disqualification petitions linked to allegations of vote-buying.

He assured the public of a thorough review process for each reported case.