Comelec eyes fine for candidates who back out of race

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is mulling imposing a fine on politicians who back out after filing their certificates of candidacy for next year’s elections.

Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said politicians backing out of the elections could mess up the printed ballots.

“That is why we do not want withdrawal of candidacy in the coming 2010 elections,” he said.

“We can allow substitution in case of death or disqualification so there would be no buying out of candidates.”

Melo said the Comelec is in a quandary on how to replace candidates who back out because the automated machines require the printing of the names of all candidates in the ballots.

In past elections, the name of the replacement candidate could be written on the ballots, he added.

Melo said the poll body thought of printing an additional oval in the ballot in preparation for possible replacement of candidates.

However, an additional oval may create confusion among voters and affect the results of the elections, he added.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, an official candidate can be substituted in case of death, disqualification or withdrawal by another person belonging to the same political party.

The substitute candidate nominated by the political party concerned may file his certificate of candidacy for the office affected not later than mid-day on election day.

If the death, withdrawal or disqualification should occur between the day before the election and mid-day of election day, the certificate may be filed with any board of election inspectors in the place where he or she is a candidate.

If the candidate would be voted nationwide, the certificate must be filed with the Comelec main office in Manila.

Six senators backed yesterday a bill of Sen. Edgardo Angara seeking to consider as resigned politicians who run for another office.

They are Senators Manuel Roxas II, Richard Gordon, Francis Escudero and Loren Legarda; Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Roxas said the bill aims to prevent candidates for higher office from using the resources of their positions for campaign purposes.

“There are many who run for President but in the backs of their mind they think that they can always go back and resume their duties whether they win or lost,” he said.

Gordon said some people run for office even if they are not sure to win, for the sake of gaining more popularity through the campaign.

“Others were even using it to raise funds through campaign contributions,” he said.

Escudero said he backs the bill as he did a similar measure when he was a representative of Sorsogon in Congress.

“I am just being consistent in my position,” he said.

Legarda said the bill might not be a priority because the Senate would be focused more on economic measures and the budget when Congress resumes session.

It is doubtful that the bill would pass since elections had never been fair in the Philippines, she added.

Zubiri said if the bill becomes law, President Arroyo would have to resign once she files her certificate of candidacy for representative of Pampanga.

“If she will run as congressman, then she should resign as President,” he said.

“If that is the concept … then technically all those who will run will have to give up their positions.” – Mayen Jaymalin, Aurea Calica