Asserting that her mandate comes directly from the people, Tarlac City Mayor Susan Yap-Sulit has committed to exhaust all legal remedies in response to the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) ruling to disqualify her from office.

In a statement, Yap-Sulit appealed to the public and to election officials to uphold the will of the voters, saying she is ready to present documents and evidence to refute an accusation that “borders on the ridiculous.”

Meanwhile, groups of Tarlaqueños on Monday organized pocket rallies and vigils across multiple locations in the city to express their support for Mayor Yap-Sulit.

The League of Municipalities-Tarlac Chapter also came out in support of the mayor’s pursuit of legal remedies, saying in a statement that it “firmly believes that the sovereign will of the people, as expressed through the ballot, is the paramount and ultimate expression of democratic choice, and that overturning such a mandate through technicalities undermines the very essence of our democratic processes and disenfranchises the electorate.”

The group further stated that they are urging the COMELEC en banc to “reconsider its decision and give primacy to the sovereign will of the people of Tarlac City, thereby ensuring their votes are respected, protected, and honored.”

The COMELEC en banc ruling reversed an earlier April 2025 decision by its Second Division that had dismissed the disqualification case against her for lack of substantial evidence.

The en banc later ruled that Mayor Yap-Sulit failed to meet the one-year residency requirement in Barangay Tibag, Tarlac City.

Yap-Sulit disputed this, presenting documents, IDs, photographs, and videos to show that she has been a resident of Tarlac City since 2014, the year she transferred her voter registration. “Over a technicality of residence that was already dismissed previously for lack of evidence, my mandate is once again being questioned. Tarlac City is where I live – it has been my home, my life, and my heart. More importantly, this was already decided by the people of Tarlac. You don’t reverse a vote. You respect it,” she emphasized.

The mayor, who previously served three consecutive terms as governor of Tarlac, noted that her residency had never been questioned during her nine years in public service. “It is painful that some people are determined to prevent me from serving my fellow Tarlaqueños,” she said. She likewise pointed out that not a single official conducted an ocular inspection of their family compound, which the petitioners claim looks like a warehouse and not a residence. “Yes, there is a warehouse within our compound, but there is a perfectly functioning living space there as well. It’s open for inspection anytime, I would be very happy to lead a house tour,” Yap-Sulit stated.

She also addressed criticism over her low-profile approach to governance, saying detractors claim she is rarely seen at fiestas, wakes, or public celebrations. “My goal is to slowly weed out the performative, song-and-dance aspect of politics and elevate the standards of public service in Tarlac. We are voted in because of our capacity and dedication to serve, not because of theatrics.”

Yap-Sulit emphasized that the COMELEC reversal could undermine democratic and constitutional principles. “COMELEC must respect the public’s will,” she said. “If this is not corrected, this will lead to the disenfranchisement of Filipino voters. It’s a crucial blow to a basic, fundamental, and constitutionally guaranteed human right – the right of constituents to choose their leaders.”

She added that while legal proceedings continue, she will remain focused on her duties. “They may attempt to smear my name, but they cannot take away my devotion to Tarlac. My promise remains: I will serve wholeheartedly – loyal, true, and with the public first.”