Comelec to propose amendments to rules on candidates

MANILA, Philippines — After the May 9 general elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will review and propose amendments to the rules governing nuisance candidates, substitution and withdrawal of candidates that some alleged have been subject to abuse.

Even before the polls take place, the Comelec is already thinking of making improvements in the laws in preparation for future elections, according to Commissioner George Garcia.

“One of the things that has to be done after (the May 9) elections is that we should review the rules on nuisance, substitution and withdrawal (of candidates). Some are saying that the (rules on) withdrawal and substitution are being abused,” Garcia said recently.

The commissioner noted that once they have completed their review and made recommendations on the rules, these will be submitted to Congress, which has the power to pass new laws and make amendments to existing laws.

“But definitely, in the end, whatever Congress says, we will just implement. We can only do what they want us to implement,” Garcia said.

Among the bills on substitution and withdrawal of candidates pending before the Senate is Senate Bill 2461 proposed by Sen. Leila de Lima in December last year.

SB 2461 intends to impose limitations on the law on the substitution of candidates to prevent its abuse.

During the May 2016 presidential elections, President Duterte, who was then Davao City mayor, came in as a substitute candidate for PDP-Laban’s standard bearer Martin Diño.

For the May 2022 polls, a total of 19 candidates for national posts withdrew their candidacies, while 10 filed their bids as substitute bets.