MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) stated that at least 66 senatorial aspirants are already confirmed to be included in the official ballot for the 2025 midterm elections.
According to Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body’s Law Department is expected to submit its proposed recommendations for aspirants who will be retained, removed, and be declared nuisance candidates by next week.
“As of today, may 66 na kumpirmado na makakasama sa pangalan nila sa listahan bilang lehitimo, valid, and true candidates para sa darating na halalan,” Garcia said in an interview in Makati City.
“’Yung natitira, marami pang kinakaharap na issues lalong-lalo na ‘yung may dalawang CONA (certificate of nomination and acceptance),” he added.
The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2025 May elections started on October 1 to October 8, 2024, concluding with 183 senatorial hopefuls and 156 party-lists filing their CONAs.
“Asahan na mag-aaksyon agad ang Comelec sa susunod sa darating na linggo whether ipapa-hearing pa namin yan o aagad naming aaksyunan ang recommendation ng Law Department,” Garcia said.
Garcia also stated that the Comelec has received at least five petitions to cancel the certificates of candidacy of some local bets who were declared by the Office of the Ombudsman as perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
“Lima na may nag-file ng petition. ‘Yung mga nababasa natin sa dyaryo ay nandun na sa listahan sa lima na may nag-file ng petition. More or less sila ‘yung mga dineklara na perpetually disqualified to hold public office,” said Garcia./PN
