Manila, May 12 -- The proclamation of 19 local and national candidates, if ever they win in the May 12 elections, has been ordered suspended, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.

According to Comelec Chairperson George Garcia, the Commission en banc has approved the suspension of proclamation of candidates with pending cases before the poll body.

"The Comelec Clerk of the Commission was instructed by the en banc and the Divisions to release 19 orders of suspension," he said in a press conference.

The poll chief did not identify the candidates, but said they expect the number to increase.

"It is possible that the orders of suspension directed against certain individuals or candidates may increase as we move on with the da...