Comelec Releases tentative list of bets

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections has started releasing the list of candidates for the May 10 elections. Although the list will not be finalized until mid-February the names of those political aspirants in Cebu City who are subject to disqualification cases for having the same family names as candidates of Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan are still included.

The names of candidates for national and local positions, from president down to municipal councilors are even published in the Comelec website pursuant to Comelec Minute Resolution No. 10-0042 promulgated on January 19, 2010, but was released only last Friday.

The Comelec has advised the concerned candidates to immediately contact its law department within five days so issues like misspelled names and other errors can be addressed before the final list shall be prepared for printing.

The published list still carries the name of Jacinto del Mar, who is running for congressman of the city’s north district under the Philippine Green Republican Party. Rep. Raul del Mar, father of congressional aspirant Rachel “Cutie” Del Mar, petitioned the Comelec to disqualify Jacinto because his candidacy may only confuse the voters.

The BOPK had also filed a petition for disqualification against LDP’s vice mayoralty candidate Serafin Rama and councilorial candidates Emma Cabrera, Zenica Arcilla and Junas Cabarrubias, saying they have candidates with the same surnames.

Rama was earlier assured by Comelec officials that they will promulgate the ruling of their petition before the printing of the ballots.

One of the bases to disqualify a candidate is by other acts or circumstances which clearly demonstrate that the candidate has no bona fide intention to run for the office for which his or her Certificate of Candidacy was filed and thus prevents the faithful determination of the true will of the electorate. — Rene U. Borromeo/BRP (THE FREEMAN)