MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court is done issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) covering disqualified candidates, and printing of ballots for the midterm polls can now proceed, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“The earliest is Friday, the latest is Saturday,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told The STAR yesterday.
Comelec sources told The STAR that the poll body is no longer expecting TROs from the SC that could delay ballot printing.
Eleven candidates disqualified by the Comelec secured TROs from the SC.
They are senatorial candidates Subair Guinthum Mustapha and Francis Leo Marcos; dismissed Albay governor Noel Rosal, who is seeking reelection; former congressman Edgar Erice; Charles Savellano, who is vying for the congressional seat of Ilocos Sur’s first district; Chito Bulatao Balintay, running for Zambales governor; Florendo de Ramos Ritualo Jr., vying for a seat in the San Juan City council; Marie Grace David, running for vice mayor in Limay, Bataan; Mary Dominique Oñate, running for mayor of Palompon, Leyte; Aldrin Sta. Ana., running for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan and dismissed Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes, who is seeking reelection.
After the first batch of TROs was issued, the Comelec suspended the printing of official ballots, saying about six million ballots have to be destroyed through shredding.
The high court has received about 25 petitions for TROs concerning the May polls, Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said.
Ballot printing has been delayed for three weeks, Garcia noted.
The Comelec, he said, will take action on a case-to-case basis if the Supreme Court issues another TRO after Saturday.
Meanwhile, having another Marcos surname on the official ballot might confuse voters, the Comelec said.
The name of Francis Leo Marcos will be printed before Sen. Imee Marcos’ name, Garcia noted.
The Supreme Court earlier issued a TRO to include Francis Leo Marcos among the list of senatorial candidates on the ballot.
Marcos was declared a nuisance candidate by the Comelec.
Printing of 73 million ballots for the midterm elections had to be deferred again following the high court’s decision.
Citing the Omnibus Election Code, Garcia said the purpose of nuisance candidates is to confuse the electorate.
While it is up to Sen. Marcos’ legal team to decide what their next step will be, Garcia said the Comelec must comply with the high court’s decision.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling is a temporary remedy, not a decision on the merits of the case that affirms the Comelec’s decision was wrong,” Garcia pointed out yesterday.
Candidates granted a TRO on their disqualification may still be disqualified as it is not a final ruling, he noted.
If the high court eventually affirms the Comelec ruling, Garcia said the votes obtained by disqualified candidates would not be counted.
Retirement
The retirement of Comelec Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Socorro Inting in February will not adversely affect election preparations, Garcia said.
He called for the immediate appointment of two new commissioners so that the poll body could “normally” prepare for this year’s elections.
Despite the election appointment ban, Garcia noted that President Marcos has a continuing authority and does not need to secure an exemption.
Text blasting illegal
Meanwhile, candidates using text blast devices during their campaign will face criminal charges, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Text blasters are illegal and will be confiscated, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said yesterday.
On Tuesday, a Malaysian selling fake cell towers was arrested in Parañaque.
The suspect reportedly sold an Octopus 5G blaster for P600,000, capable of mass SMS broadcasting without a database, SIM card or WiFi, according to police Anti-Cybercrime Group director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang. – Emmanuel Tupas