‘Candidates with cases may run, but face risks’

MANILA, Philippines — Candidates with pending cases can run in next year’s elections but they face a huge risk because of perceptions they committed illegal acts, Malacañang said yesterday. 

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said politicians facing charges could still seek electoral posts because they have not been convicted or disqualified perpetually from holding office.  

“You cannot bar them (from running). We would violate due process if we do that. There is a constitutional provision saying that all persons are presumed innocent unless there is a conviction beyond reasonable doubt,” Panelo said in a radio interview. 

“If you ask me, it would be a huge risk for them because rightly or wrongly, many think they are involved. But they can say they have not been convicted and some people who faced charges were absolved,” he added. 

“But they take the risk of being repudiated in the polls.” 

Panelo was asked to react to the decision of former senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Juan Ponce Enrile and Jinggoy Estrada to seek a Senate comeback next year. The three were indicted in the multibillion-peso pork barrel scam.  

Panelo said it would be up to the voters to decide whether to support politicians facing charges. 

“If they feel that they (candidates) are not deserving, they have the right to vote against those candidates,” he said. 

Panelo also maintained the 1987 Constitution has to be amended to require candidates to undergo drug test. 

He noted the qualifications for those running for senator and congressmen are provided by the Constitution. 

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director-general Aaron Aquino has proposed the conduct of surprise drug tests on candidates for the 2019 polls. 

Panelo previously said the proposal could be problematic because the Supreme Court has already ruled that mandatory drug testing for senators is not allowed because it imposes additional qualifications beyond the provision of the Constitution.

Panelo however said drug testing may be allowed for local candidates because the Local Government Code, not the Constitution, specifies the qualifications for those seeking local posts.