For President, Senator: Comelec declares 6 bets from Cebu as “nuisance”

CEBU, Philippines - At least six candidates from Cebu who are seeking national posts, including two for president, in the 2016 elections have been declared “nuisance” by the Commission on Elections.

The Comelec cited in most cases the lack of financial capacity as reason for rejecting their certificate of candidacies. Among those declared “nuisance candidates” was Ralph Martirez Masloff, of Lapu-Lapu City, who filed COC for president.

The Comelec Second Division found that Masloff presented no proof of financial capacity, thus, “he will not be able to sustain the financial rigors of waging a nationwide campaign.”

Masloff, who is running without a support of a political party, declared in his COC that he is a designer or engineer.

“Being an independent candidate, respondent does not have any political machinery to propel his candidacy nor does he have political supporters to aid him in his campaign,” read the Comelec resolution.

Under Republic Act No. 7166 (An Act Providing for Synchronized National and Local elections and for Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, and for Other Purposes), candidates are allowed to spend for election campaign P10 in the case of a President and Vice President, and P3 in other candidates for every voter currently registered in the constituency where he filed his certificate of candidacy.  A candidate without any political party and without support from any political party is allowed to spend P5 for every voter.

“While indeed material possession is not a constitutional or statutory requirement in aspiring for a public office, it is always true that election campaign, particularly for the highest government position in the land entails significant expenditures which cannot adequately covered by earnings of ordinary men,” the Comelec added.

Along with Masloff, presidential candidate Quiterio Castilla, and senatorial aspirants Joey Marcaida, Alejandrino Villarico Suarez, Victor Quijano, and Pol Licia Bulilan were also declared as nuisance candidates for the same ground.  Comelec-Cebu election supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said the aspirants who were declared nuisance may move for reconsideration to be filed with the Comelec en banc.

Masloff submitted with his COC his American passport and birth certificate issued by the Office of the Local Registrar of Bauan, Batangas. He also did not attach in his COC the sworn renunciation of his American citizenship.

“This is important considering that respondent presented his US (United States) passport,” the poll body stated.

In order to qualify as Presidential and Vice Presidential bet, one must be a natural born citizen of the Philippines, registered voter, able to read and write, at least 40 years of age on the day of election, and resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years immediately preceding the election. — /FPL (FREEMAN)