34 Senate bets declared nuisance

Thirty-four out of 68 se-natorial aspirants were declared nuisance candidates by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday.

Most of the aspirants were running as independents.

Disqualified were Daniel Magtira (Independent), Bernard Serrano (Ind), Nelson Andamo (Ind), Eddie Gil (Isang Bansa Isang Diwa Party), Clemente de Guzman (Ind), Castor Macariola (Ind), Ruperto Velarde Jr. (Ind), Emilio Quibedo Jr. (Ind), Eutiquio Padla (Rizalist Party), Nicanor de Leon (Ind-EDSA 2), Merilot Lagata (Ind), Jaime Nadal (Ind), Elias Dulalia (Ind), Alvin Alvincent Almerante (Ind-LP), Enrique Bragancia (Ind), Reynaldo Perez (Ind) and Vic Velas-quez (Ind-PMP).

Also disqualified were Melchor Blaza (Ind), Cesar Escosa (Ind), Pio Bacolod (Ind), Ernesto Tavaco (Ind), Vicente Favella (Ind-PMP), Juanito Arribas (Ind-KBL), Edmundo Palanca Jr. (Ind-CINPAR), Carlos Roberto (Ind), Norberto Mercado (Ind-LP-Lakas), Alberto Fenix Jr. (LDP), Moner Bajunaid (PDSP), Bonifacio Tangalin (Kampi-Lakas), Renato Bumatay (Ind), Gherry Guillergan (Ind-Paburas Party), Orlando Abitona (Ind), Vicente Biego (Ind) and Fernando Po Jr. (PGP). Fenix had earlier withdrawn from the race.

Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo said the trimming down of the senatorial list was decided by the entire poll body behind closed doors Tuesday night.

The commission is finalizing a resolution on the disqualification of the 34 candidates and approval of the bids of another 34 senatorial bets.

In disqualifying the candidates, the Comelec considered the capability of the candidates and their political parties to conduct a nationwide campaign.

"We looked at the capability of the candidates to wage a national campaign and their being honest-to-goodness (candidates) because some of them are just throwing their hats into the ring when they know very well that they cannot win," Benipayo said.

Most of the disqualified aspirants have other motives for running, he said. He did not elaborate.

The candidacies of those running under the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan, the administration party during the Marcos regime, were approved by the poll body because the KBL has the machinery to conduct a nationwide campaign, Benipayo said.

Commissioner Resurreccion Borra said even the candidacy of Melchor Chavez, who ran as an independent in the 1992 elections but was declared a nuisance by the Comelec, was approved this time because he is running under a political party that is accredited by the poll body.

The 34 senatorial aspirants whose candidacies were approved by the Comelec were re-electionist Senators Juan Flavier, Sergio Osmeña III, Ramon Magsaysay Jr. and Franklin Drilon; Quezon Rep. Wigberto Tañada; Reps. Joker Arroyo, Ernesto Herrera and Ralph Recto; lawyer Francis Pangilinan; former Revenue Commissioner Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, former Bulacan Gov. Roberto Pagdanganan and former Economic Planning Secretary Solita Monsod. All are running under the People Power Coalition.

Opposition candidates qualified to run in the senatorial polls are former Executive Secretary Edgardo Angara, former Philippine National Police chief Panfilo Lacson, former Press Secretary Ricardo Puno, former presidential adviser on children’s affairs Jamby Madrigal, Ombra Tamano and re-electionist Sen. Juan Ponce-Enrile.

Independent aspirants who can run are former First Lady Luisa Ejercito, re-electionist Senators Miriam Defensor-Santiago and Gregorio Honasan, former Defense Secretary Orlando Mercado, broadcast journalist Noli de Castro, former Securities and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay, former Sen. Santanina Rasul, former Immigration Commissioner Homobono Adaza, former sweepstakes chief Manuel Morato, broadcaster Rod Navarro and Philippine Constitutional Association (PHILCONSA) president and lawyer Camilo Sabio.

Also approved were the candidacies of KBL aspirants lawyer Oliver Lozano, Juan Casil and Norma Nueva and Chavez.