Comelec: ER can still run in 2016

MANILA, Philippines - Ousted Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito can run again in 2016 as his disqualification is administrative in nature, not criminal.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Lucenito Tagle clarified that Ejercito’s disqualification as a governor “does not have an implication on his running in 2016 because the nature of his case is administrative, not criminal.”

Spokesman James Jimenez yesterday said the Comelec resolution did not touch on the criminal aspect of Ejercito’s campaign overspending as it was not covered in the complaint of his rival, Edgar San Luis.

“What was filed against him is disqualification so that is the end-result of the case, to remove him from his post,” he said.

Erap advises ER to run again

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada advised yesterday his nephew to wait for another 17 months and run again for governor of Laguna.

In a telephone interview with The STAR, Estrada said the people of Laguna know that Ejercito deserves to be governor.

“I told him, just wait for another 17 months or 18 months,” he said. “He can run again. Nobody can stop you.”

Estrada said an investigation would show that about 90 percent of politicians would be disqualified for overspending.

“Ninety percent of all politicians in the country are overspending in the campaign,” he said. “It only happened that ER was singled out, and that is what I cannot understand.”

Estrada said Ejercito’s name remains clean because he was disqualified for spending the donations of supporters.

“The people know that he used the money, all donations, for the campaign,” he said. “He did not pocket a single centavo. He is still crying.” –With Jose Rodel Clapano