Manila, Jan. 16 -- Deputy Speaker Ronaldo Puno of Antipolo City on Friday welcomed the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) move to hold a special election to fill the vacant seat left by the late Antipolo Rep. Romeo Acop, stressing that the poll is a legal mandate of the poll body.

"Nakita ko 'yung communications diyan. Ang election ay parang sini-set nila for March 14, tapos yung filing of Certificates of Candidacy will be Feb. 5 and 6 (I saw the communications. The special election will be on March 14, while the filing of COC will be Feb. 5 ad 6)," Puno, National Unity Party (NUP) chairman, said in a press conference.

He also clarified that while Comelec informed Congress of the planned special election, the request for additional fund...