Bangon Pilipinas senatorial bet gets Comelec nod

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections on Tuesday announced that it has approved the candidacy of Bangon Pilipinas party's lone senatorial bet to run in the 2013 midterm polls.

The Comelec en banc approved the candidacy of Israel Virgines, the only senatorial bet fielded by Bangon Pilipinas of Bro. Eddie Villanueva.

Villanueva, the father of TESDA director general Joel Villanueva, is the spiritual leader of the Jesus Is Lord Movement.

Virgines previously ran in the May 10, 2010 national polls but lost. He earlier appealed to the poll body to reconsider his candidacy since he was stuck in traffic within the vicinity of the Comelec in Intramuros, Manila during the last day of filing of the certificate of candidacy for senator.

With his candidacy's approval by the Comelec, Virgines will be the 33rd senatorial candidate.