Comelec: NP can name Sanchez's substitute

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said the Nacionalista Party (NP) can field another candidate to replace former Batangas governor Armando Sanchez who died Tuesday night after suffering a stroke.

Sanchez was again running for Batangas governor against re-electionist Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto of the Liberal Party.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the NP could have Sanchez replaced by any party member.

“There’s no need to change the ballot. The vote for the substituted is a vote for the substitute. The votes will be counted,” he said.

But Comelec Commissioner said Sanchez’s wife Edna may not be able to replace his late husband due to legal impediments.

Sarmiento said Mrs. Sanchez may not qualify as a substitute candidate because she has already submitted her certificate of candidacy (COC) for the mayoral seat in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

“There is no deadline for the submission of a substitute candidate, but the deadline for the withdrawal of candidacy already lapsed last December, thus Sanchez’s wife can no longer withdraw from the mayoral race,” he said.

Under Comelec regulations, Sarmiento said a substitute candidate must belong to the same political party of the deceased aspirant and the COC can be filed even until election day.

A replacement candidate is also required to abandon any intention to run in other positions.

However, Sarmiento said Mrs. Sanchez can send a letter of query so the Comelec could officially resolve whether she can qualify as a substitute candidate or not.

He said there have been instances in past elections when the wife took over as replacement of a candidate who died before election day.

But he said most of the replacement candidates are not running in other positions.

Mrs. Sanchez, however, said she is still undecided on whether she would substitute for her husband in the gubernatorial race.

NP standard-bearer Sen. Manny Villar said the party would wait for the decision of the Sanchez family on who would be the substitute bet.

“We will respect whatever (their) decision (is),” he said during a visit to Sanchez’s wake in Sto. Tomas town yesterday afternoon. – With Mayen Jaymalin, Arnell Ozaeta and Christina Mendez