Comelec field execs to hear disqualification cases

Probably expecting an influx of nuisance candidates, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) authorized poll field officials yesterday to hear and receive evidence for disqualification cases against certain candidates in the May 14 congressional and local elections.

In an en banc resolution, the seven-man Comelec designated all its field officials who are lawyers to hear and resolve petitions to cancel a certificate of candidacy or declare a candidate a nuisance.

Angelina Matibag, chief of Comelec’s education and information department, said the criteria for disqualification include involvement of a candidate in gunrunning activities.

Matibag said disqualification petitions may be also be filed by any citizen of voting age or a duly registered political party against any candidate who has been convicted of giving out money to influence voters or who has committed acts of terrorism to enhance his or her candidacy.

A candidate who has spent election campaign funds in excess of the allowable level under the law or has accepted donations prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code may also be disqualified, even if he or she is elected into office.

A petition to disqualify a candidate may also be filed if the candidate does not possess the qualifications as provided under the Constitution such as being a Filipino citizen and a permanent resident of the country.

The petition shall be filed in 10 legible copies with a filing fee of P1,000 and legal research fee of P20.

Disqualification petitions may be filed any day after the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), but not later than the date of proclamation, Matibag said.

So far, only 40-year-old Daniel Magtira, a singer-composer and believed to be a member of the cult H-World, has filed a certificate of candidacy for the senatorial race. The filing of COCs began last Jan. 2.

Comelec chairperson Harriet Demetriou said unknown or obscure persons are usually among the early birds because popular politicians ordinarily wait for the last day of filing.

"It’s too early in the game," Demetriou said, adding that none of the government officials who are running in the elections have filed their COCs because they still do not want to lose their current positions.

But Demetriou said the Comelec will thoroughly review all COCs to remove the nuisance candidates. — Mayen Jaymalin