SC upholds disqualification of another presidential bet

MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court has upheld the disqualification of a presidential candidate earlier declared a nuisance by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

In its regular session yesterday, the high court decided to dismiss the petition of Wendell Lope questioning the poll body’s decision to cancel his certificate of candidacy for president.

The tribunal held that Comelec did not act with grave abuse of discretion when it disqualified Lope for being a nuisance candidate.

Lope, listed as a taxi driver in the certificate, also wanted to run in the 2013 senatorial race and the 2007 mayoral race in Cebu City. He was disqualified in both instances.

It also dismissed a similar petition filed by disqualified senatorial candidates Antonio Aquino and Jay Angelique Jaafar, and the petition for registration and accreditation of party-list applicant Scholarship ng Masa.

Earlier, the high court upheld the disqualification of 20 other presidential candidates – former Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director and ex-Iloilo congressman Augusto Syjuco, former Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chief Camilo Sabio and independent candidates Vetallano Acosta, Rizalito David, Elly Pamatong, Juanita Trocenio, Ephraim Defino, Buenafe Briggs, Antonio Obiña, Luisito Falcon, Ranulfo Feliciano, Ma. Aurora Marcos,

Simeon de Castro Jr., Dante Valencia, Rodel Mancilla, Pedrito Diaz Tagle, Gerald Arcega, Juanito Luna, Bethsaida Lopez and Eric Negapatan.