Both the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET) and the Supreme Court (SC) have upheld their respective decisions recognizing Lord Allan Velasco of the National Unity Party (NUP) as the rightful winner in the lone district of Marinduque during the 2013 elections.

The rulings effectively disqualify Regina Ongsiako Reyes, who currently sits as representative of Marinduque. Both the SC and HRET upheld the decision of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to cancel Reyes’ certificate of candidacy in 2013 on the ground that she was a naturalized American citizen at that time.

The Supreme Court voted “with finality” on the issue last Jan. 26, 2016 by denying  Reyes’ motion for reconsideration.

The following day, the HRET upheld its earlier ruling which also effectively disqualified Reyes.  It reaffirmed its ruling that the protest filed by Velasco against Reyes was no longer under its jurisdiction and acknowledged the High Court’s decision that Reyes is considered disqualified from the 2013 polls.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said the House leadership is still studying the issue. “But we will definitely decide before we adjourn,” he said.

The Congress will adjourn its session on Feb. 6.