THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) vowed to stringently screen all certificates of candidacy (COCs) submitted by aspirants for national positions in the 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the Supreme Court (SC) lessened the criteria for removing nuisance candidates from the official list of candidates.
“Sa nakaraang dalawang decisions ng Korte Suprema, sabi ng SC hindi pwede ma-declare nuisance dahil walang financial capacity to launch a nationwide campaign. Tinanggal na ng SC ang financial aspect ng pangangampanya para lang ma-declare na nuisance candidate. Sa ikalawang decision, tinanggal na din dahilan na hindi porke hindi ka kilala sa lipunan or walang political party, automatic declared kang nuisance candidates,” Laudiangco said in an interview.
At the same time, he noted that they still have a basis for screening candidates.
“We will look into the actuations of filing a COC. Do they understand the positions they are running for? For instance, one filed a candidacy for senator but is actually saying functions that are not that of a senator. Second, we will look into whether they just want to sow chaos in the polls or just want to steal votes from a legitimate candidate,” Laudiangco said.
The poll body, he said, is relying on petitions for disqualification filed before them against bets as they cannot moto proprio file a petition for disqualification.
Laudiangco also said the Comelec is open to an early implementation of the election gun ban, based on the recommendation of the Philippine National Police, as it is within the purview of the poll body.
“The implementation of the gun ban goes together with the election period. When the election period starts, so does the gun ban. We understand the PNP’s objectives. We also have to understand that the gun ban is not just about the prohibition of carrying firearms. Some industries might be affected. The ban also covers controlled chemicals and explosives,” he said.
Under Comelec Resolution 10999, the gun ban will be in effect during the election period from Jan. 12 to June 11 next year. (PNA)
