Comelec backs bill vs 3-time losing poll candidates

MANILA, Philippines - An official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is backing a proposed bill that seeks to stop politicians who have lost in three consecutive elections from running for a similar position for the fourth time.

According to Comelec Commissioner Lucenito Tagle, this scheme would help hasten the screening of the qualifications of candidates during elections.

“In my opinion, this will be good because there are really many nuisance candidates and this proposal will help us screen them faster,” he said.

Tagle also said that he does not see the proposal as curtailing a person’s right to seek public office. He explained that there should really be a limit and such a candidate would not be barred from running for other posts under the proposal.

Earlier, Sorsogon Rep. Evelina Escudero filed House Bill 5119 that seeks to implement such disqualification system. When this measure is passed, it will be another ground for disqualification aside from those already stated in the Omnibus Election Code.

The code disqualifies “any person who has been declared by competent authority insane or incompetent; has been sentenced by final judgment for subversion, insurrection, rebellion or for any offense for which he has been sentenced to a penalty of more than 18 months; and for a crime involving moral turpitude.”