MANILA, Nov. 28 (PNA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has to come up with the final list of candidates on Dec. 15, for the May 2016 elections so as not to affect its preparations.
Commissioner Christian Robert Lim said they have only five days after the Dec. 10 deadline of the submission of substitute candidates, before they will release the names of official candidates in next year’s polls.
“December 10 is the deadline for substitution, December 15 is the final list of candidates, five days, the commission has to work extra hard to finish otherwise there’ll be a disruption of our timeline,” he added.
Section 19 of Comelec Resolution No. 9984 provides that an official candidate of a duly registered political party or coalition 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 or coalition.
A total of 130 individuals have filed their Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for president; 13 for vice president; and 128 for senator.
The poll body has conducted preliminary conference to give these candidates, who faced moto proprio Petitions to Declare as Nuisance Candidates, except the five presidential candidates, whom the Comelec has yet to identify, to explain themselves on why they should not be declared as such.
The process involved the submission of their documents that will prove their capacity to launch a nationwide campaign, among other records that will support their candidacy. (PNA)