MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that there are a total of 78 disqualification cases filed before them for various candidates for the 2019 midterm elections.
Comelec spokesperson director James Jimenez said that it will take them a month to review all the 95 certificates of candidacy from national election aspirants for the composition of the final list.
From the disqualification complaints, the one against incumbent Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, which was filed by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio, will need the most deliberation, according to Jimenez.
“It was most complicated complaint as its needs thorough scrutiny before the Comelec comes up with a decision,” Jimenez said.
Topacio has filed a disqualification case against the incumbent senator saying that Pimentel cannot run anew for senator as he is already serving his second and maximum allowed consecutive term.
“Senator Pimentel is no longer eligible to run for another term in the Senate,” Topacio said. “Based on the Constitution, Senators are prohibited from serving more than two consecutive terms.”
Pimentel in August 2011 was declared the 12th winning senator in the 2007 elections after a tribunal ruled in his favor in a poll protest against Sen. Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri.
Zubiri resigned before the tribunal’s ruling as witnesses alleged massive poll fraud in Maguindanao. He denied allegations that he knew about the poll cheating. Pimentel was again re-elected in 2016.
Another notable disqualification complaint was filed by opposition senatorial candidate Manuel “Mar” Roxas against a certain Lemicio Jesus Roxas, whom the losing presidential candidate said will only confuse voters.
Also tagged with a disqualification complaint is outgoing Sen. Loren Legarda, who filed a certificate of candidacy for the lone congressional seat of the province of Antique.
The Comelec is set to release the final list of candidates for the 2019 midterm elections on Dec. 15 at their website after reviewing all the COCs from various positions./PN
