DQ cases could surpass 1,000 – Comelec

MANILA, Philippines — Disqualification cases against candidates in the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) could reach more than 1,000, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“What the Task Force (Anti-Epal) is doing is they look first for evidence that will strengthen the case. They don’t just file cases. They study it very carefully. So in the coming days, expect that the task force may file more than 1,000 disqualification cases,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said in a radio interview yesterday.

Garcia noted that the 35 disqualification cases filed against erring candidates is just an initial number.

“On Monday (today), 40 disqualification cases will be filed. The same (number) of cases will be filed on Tuesday, and then Wednesday… The task force will file cases every day,” he said.

The Comelec on Friday filed disqualification cases against 35 candidates from Central Luzon, Metro Manila and Calabarzon over alleged premature campaigning.

“The 35 candidates facing disqualification cases are due to premature campaigning. These are based on complaints we received in the social media accounts of Comelec. There were also letters and videos sent to us by concerned citizens,” Garcia said.

He added that if the disqualification cases are decided before Oct. 30, those disqualified would be taken out of the list of candidates.

“If they were able to get votes, these will not be considered and will not be given any value at all,” he said.

The poll body chief noted that regardless of the result of the disqualification case, there is still an election offense that may be filed in the Commission’s law department, although the disqualified bets may still file an appeal at the Supreme Court concerning the Comelec decision.

“They can go to the Supreme Court to appeal. The law says that five days after the Comelec en banc issues a decision, the name of the candidate will be removed from the list despite any appeal that has been filed,” Garcia said.

“This means that the decision is immediately executory within the period of five days. It is final and executory unless there is a restraining order from the Supreme Court.”

Under Section 80 of the Omnibus Eection Code, a candidate is forbidden from campaigning or engaging in partisan political activity outside of the campaign period.

Those who violate this rule may face imprisonment of one to six years, loss of voting rights and permanent disqualification from running for public office.

The campaign period for the BSKE is from Oct. 19 to 28.