Comelec to disqualify ‘terror’ candidates

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has adopted a resolution disqualifying candidates who would resort to terrorism to get votes.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said the poll body has resolved to disqualify candidates who have committed acts of terrorism to enhance his or her candidacy.

Candidates who will bribe voters and public officials and spend more than the allowed election campaign expenditure will also be disqualified from seeking elective posts, he added.

Under Resolution No. 7800, the Comelec authorized election field officials to hear and receive evidence in disqualification cases, he said.

Abalos said they have suspended a previous regulation to attain speedy disposition of disqualification cases filed before the poll body.

A petition to deny or cancel certificate of candidacy must be filed with the Comelec not later than 25 days from the filing of the COC and five days from the last day of filing of COC, he added.

A petition to declare a candidate as nuisance must also be filed within five days from the last day of filing of COC, he said.

Today is the deadline for filing of COC for senatorial candidates, while local bets have until March 29 to file their COC.

Abalos said the Comelec may cancel at any time a COC for senatorial candidates and party-list groups who do not possess the legal qualifications for the office they are aspiring to be elected.

"The Comelec may motu propio disqualify candidates whose COC put the election process in mockery or could cause confusion among voters," he said.

Aliodin Dalaig, Comelec legal department director. said the poll body is evaluating the list of senatorial candidates and accredited party-list groups.

"We have 77 registered party-list groups at this time, but we are going to delist about 20, particularly those that did not participate and were unable to obtain two percent votes in the past two elections," he said.

The Comelec is expected to come out with the official list of senatorial candidates and party-list groups within the week, he said.

There are 26 new party-list groups that are seeking accreditation with the Comelec. —Mayen Jaymalin