95 may be declared nuisance candidates

MANILA, Philippines — Ninety-five individuals, including Rizalito David who attempted to run for president in 2016, are now subjects of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)’s motu proprio proceedings to determine whether they are nuisance bets and their certificates of candidacy (COC) should be cancelled.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez bared this development on Thursday.

David ran but failed in his senatorial bids in 2010 and 2013 under the Ang Kapatiran Party. In the 2016 polls, he attempted to run for president but he was declared a nuisance candidate by the Comelec.

In the 2016 elections, David was also known for seeking the disqualification of Sen. Grace Poe from the presidential derby over her citizenship and of President Duterte, claiming that the latter’s substitution of Martin Diño as presidential candidate was null and void. 

The other senatorial aspirant deemed unfit by the Comelec’s Law Department is 45-year-old Geremy Geroy who tore his COC right after filing it last Oct. 17.

Geroy, who claimed to be a “secret friend of China,” insisted that he does not have to be a senator to help the country. 

Earlier, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said the Law Department is screening the list of senatorial hopefuls motu proprio or even without any complaint.

Guanzon, however, gave assurance that they do not look at money as basis in determining the qualification of candidates.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, the grounds to declare nuisance candidates are: if they will put the election process in mockery; cause confusion among the voters due to similarity in the name of a registered candidate and do not have bona fide intention to run.

The official added they hope to come up with the official list of candidates ahead of schedule so they could print the official ballots early.

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10429, the Comelec shall start posting the tentative list of candidates on its website on Nov. 5 to allow candidates to check their names that will appear on the ballots.