Comelec: 66 sure senatorial aspirants so far for Eleksyon 2024

At least 66 senatorial aspirants so far are confirmed to be included in the official ballot for Eleksyon 2025, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Friday.

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 for next year's polls on Wednesday, October 23.

“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 told reporters on the sidelines of the launching of the Local Source Code Review (LSCR) in Makati City.

(As of today, 66 hopefuls will be included in the list of legitimate, valid, and true candidates for next year's elections.)

“’Yung natitira, marami pang kinakaharap na issues lalong-lalo na yung may dalawang CONA,” Garcia added.

(The other aspirants are still facing issues including those whose parties issued two CONAs.)

The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) started on October 1 to October 8, 2024, concluding with 183 senatorial hopefuls and 156 party-lists filing their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONAs) for the 2025 May elections.

“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.

(We will immediately take action on the recommendation.)

Meanwhile, Garcia said the poll body received at least five petitions to cancel the certificates of candidacy of some local bets who were declared by the Ombudsman as perpetually disqualified from holding public office.

Petitions to declare as nuisance candidates were likewise lodged with the Comelec.

“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. Halimbawa sa Bicol, Batangas, Cebu, may nag-file ng petition. More or less sila 'yung mga dineklara na perpetually disqualified to hold public office," said Garcia.

(We received 5 petitions. Some from Bicol, Batangas, and Cebu.)

Based on Comelec guidelines, petitioners have until Monday, October 14, to file petition to declare aspirants as nuisance candidates, he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News