Comelec: No substitution for Loi, 13 independent bets

Deposed President Joseph Estrada will not be allowed to replace his wife in the May senatorial elections.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ruled that no independent candidate, such as former First Lady Luisa "Loi" Ejercito, can avail himself or herself of the substitution provision of the law even if she withdraws from the race.

Comelec Commissioner Resurreccion Borra explained that under the law, only political parties recognized by the poll body can substitute or nominate a substitute for any candidate who dies, withdraws or gets disqualified before the day of the elections.

Borra noted that the Comelec met en banc Thursday and agreed that all independent candidates in the May 14 local and national elections are not covered by the substitution provision of election laws.

"Very clearly, independent candidates cannot be substituted such as in the case of the former first lady," he said. "She cannot be substituted by her husband."

Ejercito entered the Senate race as a last-minute candidate. Though she is considered a guest candidate of the opposition, she is technically an independent since she is not running under any political party.

Observers believe that Estrada may be planning to take his wife’s place and run for the Senate should the Supreme Court junk his petition contesting the legality of his ouster.

In other developments, the influential Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) religious group has refused to say if it will be endorsing any candidate in the coming polls.

INC spokesman Bienvenido Santiago said he would rather keep mum on the group’s plans for the elections. "I rather not talk about it because this might send a signal that we’re becoming politicized," he said.

The INC, which has some five million members, endorsed Estrada for president and supported him even when corruption charges against him sparked widespread outrage.

Although it is dwarfed by the Catholic Church in the country, it is considered a formidable political force since its members are known to vote as a bloc.

Santiago also refused to comment on whether the INC would support broadcaster-turned-politician Noli de Castro who is running for senator.

De Castro has reportedly met with INC leader Eraño Manalo at the group’s headquarters in Quezon City to seek his support.

"I don’t know anything about that," Santiago said, although he admitted that several candidates have been frequenting Manalo’s office to meet with him. "We welcome them. They are coming here for different reasons."

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) made clear that it will not support anyone in the May 14 elections.

Known for being a staunch critic of Estrada, the CBCP said it will not endorse any candidate and will only comment on certain aspirants whom it deems to be morally unfit to serve in government. – With Sandy Araneta