The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday proclaimed Jan Franz Norbert Chan as the new second nominee of the Ako Bicol party-list following the resignation of its first nominee, Zaldy Co.
Co stepped down from his post last September, citing ‘imminent threat’ to his and his family’s safety as the government investigate corruption allegations linked to his name.
His resignation took effect after it was formally accepted by the House of Representatives.
To recall, Ako Bicol won two seats in the 2025 midterm elections, giving Co and second nominee Alfred Garbin seats in the House of Representatives.
With Co’s resignation, Garbin now becomes the party-list’s first nominee, while Chan-originally the third nominee-moves up to assume the second seat.
Under the Party-List System Act, any permanent vacancy is automatically filled by the next nominee in the list submitted to the Comelec during the filing of certificates of candidacy and nomination.
To push renewable energy, mental health advocacy
In a chance interview, Chan said that once he assumes office in the 20th Congress, he intends to prioritize measures related to renewable energy and mental health.
‘The one I really want to push is about renewable energy because that has been my advocacy even when I was in law school,’ Chan told reporters.
‘Aside from that, I’m also very interested in pushing for laws on mental health. One of the things I’m thinking about is a bill supporting parents of children who have special needs, children diagnosed with autism or other psychosocial disorders.’
A native of Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Chan added that he will also support bills promoting disaster resilience in provinces that frequently experience calamities.
‘Our priority now is to continue what Ako Bicol has been doing when it comes to public service.As we can see right now.the whole Ako Bicol is very active in continuing our public service efforts, especially after the recent typhoon,’ he also said.
Before his proclamation, Chan served as a senior partner at ChanRobles and Associates Law Firm and consultant for the Philippine National Oil Company.
Ako Bicol said he also previously worked with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines and other organizations focused on sustainability and environmental protection.
Chan is set to take his oath before the House of Representatives to officially assume his post as Ako Bicol’s new party-list representative.