By Ferdinand G. Patinio
MANILA, Oct 29 (PNA) — Martin Dino, the standard-bearer of PDP-Laban Party on Thursday has backed out from the May 2016 presidential race.
This, after he withdrew his Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) which he submitted last Oct. 16, the last day of the five-day period for the filing of CoC for aspirants in next year’s national and local polls.
In his Statement of Cancellation/Withdrawal filed before the Comelec Law Department, the chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) said he was withdrawing his candidacy for the position of president of the Republic of the Philippines.
But, the former barangay chairman did not provide any reason in the document.
Diño also indicated in the document that his substitute shall be Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
He was among the 125 presidential aspirants that are facing motu proprio Petitions to Declare as Nuisance Candidates at the Comelec.
Diño noted that the primary reason why he decided to withdraw his CoC after receiving the said petition from the poll body.
“May nakuha akong sulat from Comelec asking me to explain bakit hindi ako dapat i-consider na nuisance… masakit naman yun,” he said in a separate interview.
Dino stressed that such a perception towards the standard bearer of PDP-Laban is objectionable considering they have already produced a president in the late former president Cory Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, and a long list of senators.
“A political party needs respect kaya sumangguni ako sa partido at ito nga ang napag-desisyunan,” he added.
Dino noted that it was the decision of the party to nominate Duterte as his replacement and does not need the consent of the Davao mayor.
“Party decision yun… hindi kailangan ng consent niya,” he added.
Comelec Resolution No. 9984 states that any candidate may personally file, at any time before Election Day, a sworn Statement of Cancellation/Withdrawal.
It also provides that an official candidate of a duly registered political party, who dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause, after the last day for the filing of COCs may be substituted by a candidate belonging to, and nominated by, the same political party.
Substitution due to withdrawal is only allowed until Dec. 10, 2015.
Meanwhile, Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez said a disqualified candidate nominated by a political party may still be allowed to field a substitute candidate.
“Substitution is possible for involuntary withdrawal. And involuntary withdrawal is in case of death and disqualification. So if someone files a COC and is subsequently disqualified, that slot remains viable. Pwede ka magpasok dyan,” he said in a recent interview. (PNA)