MANILA, Philippines - A winning candidate in the 2013 polls from President Benigno Aquino III's Liberal Party (LP) could also be disqualified due to a possible election offense, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.
Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said the local LP candidate may face disqualification for election overspending, similar to Laguna Gov. Emilio Ramon “ER†Ejercito.
Jimenez did not name the local candidate.
“Isa yan sa mga tinitignan natin, we are looking at a winning LP candidate for the same possible violation,†Jimenez said on ANC Headstart.
He was reacting to criticisms that the Comelec is not targeting Aquino allies and members of the dominant party.
“We’re looking at all others. It is not just one person. It is not just one side of the divide, it's all," he said.
Quoting Comelec Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. as saying, Jimenez said on Twitter that they have also filed an election offense case against a local winning candidate from LP.
What singling out? We filed an election offense case against the governor of Antique. Ang partido nya, LP - @ChairBrillantes
— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) September 27, 2013
Ejercito is from the opposing United Nationalist Alliance. He is a nephew of former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and cousin of Senators JV Ejercito and Jinggoy Estrada.
But Jimenez said political affiliation is just "incidental" in the issue since Ejercito's opponent from the other party will not benefit from his ouster.
Jimenez said the winning vice governor --who is not from LP-- will replace Ejercito once his disqualification reaches finality.
"If you're looking at this being for the benefit of a particular party, this just doesn't apply to this case," James said.
On Thursday, the first division of the poll body ordered the disqualification of Ejercito for election overspending.
Related story: Jinggoy cousin ousted as governor over poll spending
According to Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., Ejercito had used more than P20 million for his campaign when he was only allowed to spend only P4.5 million.
But he clarified that Ejercito's disqualification is not yet final as he can still file a motion for reconsideration with the Comelec.
Ejercito was ordered to be disqualified a day after his cousin Jinggoy complained of being allegedly singled out in the investigation on the pork barrel scam.
The senator is now facing plunder raps before the Office of the Ombudsman in connection with the controversy.
"The timing might be suspect by some people. It might be unfortunate even, but it's not actually the point here," said Jimenez, claiming that they are only enforcing election laws.
The Comelec official said Ejercito's election case was filed before the entire pork barrel scam was exposed.