SC Affirms: Second Placers in Local Polls Not Successors to DQ'd Winners

SC abandons 'second placer' rule in local polls

The Supreme Court has abandoned the “second placer rule” as it denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by Datu Pax Ali Mangudadatu and upheld its ruling canceling his certificate of candidacy for governor of Sultan Kudarat.

SC affirms: second placers in local polls not successors to DQ'd winners

The Supreme Court building in Manila. — File photo by Niño Jesus Orbeta/INQUIRER MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has affirmed that candidates who place second in local elections do not automatically succeed winners who are later disqualified or found ineligible. The high tribunal, in an en banc session on Wednesday, ruled on the “second placer rule” when it dismissed with finality the motion for reconsideration sought by Datu Pax Ali Man…

Supreme Court's final ruling: 'Second placer rule' in local elections scrapped

Who replaces a disqualified local winner? The high court says not the runner-up.

SC declares final abandonment of ‘second placer rule’ in local elections

The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed its 2025 ruling that abandoned the “second placer rule,” the previous practice of declaring the candidate who received the second highest number of votes as the winner after the disqualification of the candidate who garnered the highest number of votes.In a resolution issued in Baguio City during its full court session last Wednesday, August 26, the SC said that a permanent vacancy arises when the winning cand…

SC upholds abandonment of 'second placer' rule for local elective positions

The Supreme Court has affirmed its earlier ruling which abandoned the "second placer" rule in cases when the winner in an election for a local post is eventuall

SC ends ‘second placer’ rule in local elections

MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court has abandoned the “second placer” rule in local elections, ruling that a candidate who received the second-highest number of votes has no right to assume an elective post after the leading candidate is disqualified.The En Banc, during its Aug. 26, 2026 session, denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu in G.R. Nos. 260219 and 260231, affirming its ruling cance…