14 senatorial aspirants declared nuisance bets seek reconsideration

Fourteen out of 117 senatorial aspirants declared as nuisance bets have so far filed motions for reconsideration (MRs), according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said that as of November 21, 2024, those who filed MRs are:

• Francis Leo Antonio Marcos
• Felipe Fernandez Montealto Jr.
• Orlando Caranto De Guzman
• Jaime Gaspacho Balmas
• Pedro Gonzales Ordiales
• John Rafael Campang Escobar
• Roberto Sontosidad Sembrano
• Romulo Tindoc San Ramon
• Fernando Fabian Diaz
• Luther Gascon Meniano
• Romeo Castro Macaraeg
• Subair Guinthum Mustapha
• Berteni Cataluña Causing
• Alexander Cura Encarnacion

On Tuesday, Garcia announced the Comelec has approved the recommendation of its two divisions disqualifying 117 senatorial hopefuls from running in the 2025 May midterm elections for being nuisance candidates. He said the Comelec en banc has yet to resolve the MRs.

The period for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) was conducted from October 1 to October 8, concluding with 183 senatorial hopefuls and 156 party-lists filing their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONAs).

Earlier, the poll body released an initial list of senatorial aspirants whose names may be included in the official ballot for next year's elections.

The Comelec said the list was "without prejudice to the decision of the Division or En Banc in the petitions to declare as nuisance candidates filed by the Law Department."

The Supreme Court earlier ruled that unpopularity and non-membership in a political party are not sufficient grounds to declare an individual as a nuisance candidate.

Based on Comelec Rules of Procedure Part V, Rule 24, any candidate is identified to have no bona fide intention to run for public office if they put the election process in “mockery or disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates or who by other acts or circumstances.”

This may then result in their declaration as a nuisance candidate and their certificate of candidacy being denied due course or canceled. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News