ILOILO – Should candidate substitution be banned after the certificate of candidacy (COC) filing period, unless due to death or disqualification?
This proposal of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia was bared during a recent press conference in Guimaras.
Specifically for the May 2025 midterm elections, Garcia seeks to prohibit voluntary withdrawal substitutions after October 8, the last day of COC filing.
“From October 1 to 8, you can withdraw and be replaced. But after October 8, no more substitutions will be allowed,” said Garcia.
He emphasized the need for transparency in the electoral process.
“We should stop fooling the electorate. Present your candidacy openly,” said Garcia.
However, substitutions for candidates who pass away or are disqualified will still be allowed.
“In cases of death or disqualification, substitutions are inevitable, but not for withdrawals,” Garcia added.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. stressed the importance of rationalizing the use of candidate substitution, which should not be exploited as a strategy by politicians but reserved for unavoidable situations.
“Substitution should serve its purpose only when a candidate genuinely cannot run due to valid reasons, not merely for strategic withdrawals,” said Defensor.
Mayor Mark Palabrica of Bingawan, Iloilo expressed support for the proposed prohibition, criticizing its misuse by some candidates in permanent or appointive positions to their advantage.
“If someone is committed to running for an elective position, they must be prepared and willing to sacrifice, not use their position for strategic advantages,” Palabrica said.
Meanwhile, Mayor Suzzete Mamon of Badiangan argued for maintaining flexibility in the rules, suggesting that withdrawals for valid reasons, such as health issues or campaign logistics, should still allow for substitution.
“If a candidate is genuinely committed to public service but realizes that he or she cannot continue, substitution should be an available option,” said Mamon.
The proposed ban aims to address the misuse of candidate substitution, which could potentially undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
Article IX, Section 77 of the Omnibus Election Code currently allows for substitutions in cases of death, withdrawal, or disqualification of an official party candidate after the COC filing deadline.
Chairman Garcia, leveraging his background as an election lawyer, emphasized that his proposal aligns with existing laws and responds to public demand for more stringent controls over candidate substitutions.
“We aim to pursue this change to adapt our regulations to current circumstances and public sentiment,” said Garcia./PN
