Malacañang on candidate substitution: “Premature po para sabihing inaabuso”
On Thursday, Malacañang said that it’s “premature” to say that the provision on candidate substitution in the Omnibus Election Code was being “abused”.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque noted in an interview on Unang Balita that none among those who filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2022 elections has been substituted so far.
According to Roque, he didn’t know where the “abuse” was since no substitution has taken place so far. The Palace spokesman added that it’s “premature” to say that there has been “abuse” for now since there has yet to be a substitution.
“Hindi ko alam kung saan ang pang-aabuso kasi wala pa namang nagsa-substitute, so siguro po magkakaroon tayo ng conclusion kung meron ngang nag-substitute. So sa ngayon po wala pa namang kahit sinong nagsa-substitute, premature po para sabihing inaabuso,” Roque said.
Article IX Section 77 of Omnibus Election Code provided that if an official candidate of a registered or accredited political party “dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause” after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy, only a person belonging to, and certified by, the same political party may file a COC to replace the said candidate.
READ ALSO | Isko Moreno On Candidate Substitution: “I hope someday it will be changed”
Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who was running for vice president in the 2022 elections, said on Tuesday that the provision must be reviewed as it has been “abused”.
Senator Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III agreed with the Senate President, saying that “abuse” happened when political parties intentionally field “fake candidates” who will be replaced later on.
Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez, for his part, had said that an almost absolute ban on candidate substitution by political parties must be implemented so as not to make a “mockery” of the elections.
Under the COMELEC’s calendar for 2022 elections, candidate substitution in a national or local post can be filed from the end of the COC filing period until November 15, 2021.
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The thing I can say is that Sen T. Sotto, Koko P. and R. Rodrigues are affraid? Now that this matter will happen. For sure kinakabahan kayo that is why putak kayo ng putak. Galing ninyo sa reviewed daw. Hahahahahahaha.