Comelec: Bets in narcolist won’t be disqualified

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Election (Comelec) has reiterated that inclusion in the so-called narco-list of politicians implicated in the illegal drug trade does not disqualify a candidate from running in the coming May 13 midterm polls.

According to Comelec spokesman James Jimenez, there is no law prohibiting a candidate from seeking an elective post on the basis of being accused of a crime or having a case filed against him.  

“Our position on the narco-list during the barangay elections has never wavered. If there’s a candidate on the narco-list then that list only reflects at best, to the best of my knowledge, an allegation that they are involved in the narcotics trade,” he said.

Jimenez noted that a narco-list does not equate to a final conviction, so it cannot be a basis to disqualify a candidate.

“There are a lot of collateral issues to the use of the narco-list but none of those affect both the Comelec nor the status of the candidates. We don’t even have a say if it should be released before an election,” he added.

He said the most a narco- list can provide is “feed back to voters” about the concerned candidates, like whether or not they should vote for someone who is suspected of being a criminal.

“That’s the argument there but again, the Comelec is not involved in making those arguments. We don’t have any position on that,” Jimenez added.