MANILA, Philippines — Despite his withdrawal from the senatorial race in the May 12 midterm elections, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson’s name will stay on the ballot, according to the Commission on Elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body could no longer reprint ballots with Singson’s name removed.
Garcia, however, stressed that votes obtained by Singson on Election Day would be considered stray, thus would not be counted.
As of yesterday noon, the Comelec had yet to receive an official and formal document of Singson’s withdrawal, according to Garcia.
Last Sunday, Singson announced that he is withdrawing from the senatorial elections for health reasons.
Garcia said senatorial aspirants who decide to withdraw must submit a formal and notarized notice to the Comelec’s Law Department.
“For the withdrawal to be legal and valid, it must be submitted to the Law Department. A withdrawal that is not made in the proper place will not be recognized as an official withdrawal by the candidate himself,” he added.
The poll chief stressed that a candidate is required to personally submit a notice of withdrawal to the Comelec to ensure that he is doing it voluntarily.
“The candidate can’t just send a representative,” Garcia said, although he noted that withdrawal from any election is an absolute right of any candidate.
A candidate can withdraw their candidacy until Election Day.
Garcia said the Comelec cannot prevent a candidate from withdrawing.
“The law and our policy say that when a candidate withdraws, he or she is not allowed to be replaced, having a replacement is not allowed because it should only be possible to have a replacement if the candidate dies or is disqualified,” he added.
‘Lack of funds’
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court (SC) has declared that the lack of campaign funds is not a ground to be considered a nuisance candidate.
In a statement, the SC said that in a decision written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, it set aside Comelec resolutions canceling the certificate of candidacy of businessman Juan Olila Ollesca.
The SC added that requiring candidates to have the financial means to run a campaign would unfairly add a property requirement that the Constitution prohibits.
Regardless of wealth, everyone has the right to run for office and a candidate cannot be disqualified simply because they are poor, according to the high court. — Evelyn Macairan