Señeres’ political party to field substitute bet in May polls

MANILA, Philippines – Even after his death, the political party of the late presidential bet former OFW Family Club party-list Rep. Roy Señeres wants to join the May 9 presidential elections.

In a Very Urgent Manifestation filed with the Comelec yesterday, Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka-Workers and Peasants Party (PMM-WPP) president Melchor Chavez said an earlier motion filed by Señeres’ lawyer Candy Rivas opposing a substitute candidate should be denied for “lack of merit.”

Chavez said Rivas was not authorized by the party to file such manifestation.

“The aforesaid manifestation of the family of Roy Señeres runs against the stand or position of the petitioner to nominate and to field a substitute candidate for the position left vacant due to the death of Roy Señeres,” he added.

Chavez denied that PMM-WPP is not fielding any substitute for Señeres as he manifested that they are fielding lawyer Apolonia Comia-Soguilon to substitute for Señeres in the ballot.

Based on the motion filed by Rivas last Feb. 9, the Señeres family has informed the Comelec that it was among his last wishes to be excluded from the ballot.

According to Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, the commission would discuss the new manifestation.

As a policy in case of death, a party-mate could substitute for the candidate until midday of Election Day provided that the replacement has the same surname.