Melo wants KBL prexy bet disqualified

MANILA, Philippines - If Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Jose Melo would have his way, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL) standard-bearer Vetellano Acosta would be disqualified for being a nuisance candidate.

“If the KBL will disown him, we will delist him. He doesn’t seem to be a serious candidate. Why waste the effort?” Melo told reporters on Tuesday at the sidelines of a poll automation hearing at the House of Representatives. 

He was quick to point out, however, that he was only expressing his personal opinion on Acosta’s candidacy.

A KBL breakaway group headed by former congressman Vicente Millora nominated Acosta as its presidential candidate with broadcaster Jay Sonza as his running mate.

In a political rally, Sonza disowned Acosta, saying he is not serious in pursuing his candidacy.

“He’s not campaigning and has not attended any public forum to which candidates were invited,” Sonza said.

Acosta said in a Quezon City news forum that he has no plans to campaign and that he is leaving his candidacy to God.

Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino’s Liberal Party filed a disqualification case against Acosta before the Comelec, fearing his inclusion in the list of presidential candidates would take away votes from Aquino.

Without Acosta in the presidential race, Aquino’s name would appear first in the ballot and would be noticed by the voters first.  

However, it is too late now to disqualify Acosta because the official and sample ballots are now being printed. In fact, ballots for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao are already finished.

Sample ballots furnished by Comelec officials to congressmen show all the names of presidential candidates printed in four columns.

Comelec officials showed to congressmen that the names of all presidential aspirants are printed in four columns.     –With Perseus Echeminada