Despite DQ, Poe, Duterte in Comelec list of presidential bets

MANILA, Philippines - Sen. Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, who are both facing disqualification from the presidential race, made it to the initial list of candidates running for president in the May elections.

Based on the list released yesterday by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), only eight out of 130 candidates seeking the presidency were approved.

Apart from Poe and Duterte, those on the list of presidential bets are Vice President Jejomar Binay of the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA), Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago of the People’s Reform Party, Liberal Party (LP) standard bearer Manuel Roxas II, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP) candidate Mel Mendoza, party-list Rep. Roy Señeres of the Partido ng Mangagawa at Magsasaka Workers and Peasants Party (WPPPMM) and independent candidate Dante Valencia.

Duterte is running under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan. Poe is an independent candidate.

The Comelec listed Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis Escudero, Gringo Honasan, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Antonio Trillanes IV as well as Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo as the official candidates for vice president.

A total of 19 aspirants filed their certificates of candidacy for vice president in October last year.

In the senatorial race, a total of 52 candidates made it to the list.

They include Raffy Alunan (independent), Ina Ambolodto (LP), Tonyboy Aquino (independent), Godofredo Arquiza (independent), Levito Baligod (independent), Greco Belgica (independent), Walden Bello (independent), Sandra Cam (PMP), Joel Catmon (PRP), Mel Chavez (WPPPMM), Neri Colmenares (Makabayan), Leila de Lima (LP), Isko Moreno (PMP), Senate President Franklin Drilon (LP), Larry Gadon (KBL), Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian (NPC), Dick Gordon (independent), Sen. Teofisto Guingona III (LP), Risa Hontiveros (Akbayan), Princess Jaafar (independent), Eid Kabalu (independent), Lorna Kapunan (Aksyon), Princess Jacel Kiram (UNA), Alma Moreno (UNA), Panfilo Lacson (independent) and Juror Lagare (independent).

Other senatorial bets are Rey Langit (UNA), Mark Lapid (Aksyon), Dante Liban (independent), Romeo Maganto (Lakas-CMD), Edu Manzano (independent), Allan Montano (UNA), Mon Montano (independent), Getulio Napeñas (UNA), Susan Ople (NP), Emma Orozco (independent), Sen. Sergio Osmena III (independent), Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao (UNA), Coop-Natcco party-list Rep. Cresente Paez (independent), Samuel Pagdilao (independent), Jovito Palparan (independent), Franciso Pangilinan (LP), Jericho Petilla (LP), Sen. Ralph Recto (LP), Roger Rodriguez (independent), Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez (Lakas-CMD), Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo (independent), Dionisio Santiago (independent), Sen. Vicente Sotto (NPC), Francis Tolentino (independent), Joel Villanueva (LP) and Miguel Zubiri (independent).

There are 120 party-list groups seeking seats in the House of Representatives.

According to the poll body, the list is still subject to verification and editing since there are candidates facing disqualification cases.

The Comelec released the initial list to allow the candidates to check the accuracy of their names prior to the printing of official ballots.

Ballot printing

Meanwhile, the Comelec denied railroading the printing of the official ballots for the May polls to favor Poe.

James Jimenez, spokesman for the Comelec, said they are not rushing the printing of ballots. Jimenez said since Poe’s disqualification cases remain pending before the Supreme Court, her name could not be removed yet from the official ballot. – With Non Alquitran