Chavit’s name to remain on ballots despite withdrawal from Senate race

Former Ilocos Norte governor Luis “Chavit” Singson. (File Photo: Luis Chavit Singson/Facebook)

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Despite his withdrawal from the senatorial race in the May 2025 elections, the name of former Ilocos Norte governor Luis “Chavit” Singson will remain on the official ballot, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

Votes that Singson will receive will be considered stray, according to Comelec Chair George Garcia.

“If the withdrawal pushes through, we will not be able to remove his name from the ballot,” Garcia said in a statement. “And in case he gets votes, we will declare all the votes as stray.”

Singson, who cited health reasons for his withdrawal, has yet to submit his official notice to the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.

Also a former deputy national security adviser, Singson is among the 66 official senatorial candidates in the May 12 national and local elections.

The Comelec started on Jan. 6 the printing of some 73 million ballots for the midterm polls and parliamentary polls in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.