A CANDIDATE鈥橲 admission or inference of being a placeholder for an elective position is not enough grounds for being declared a nuisance, according to Commission on Elections (Comelec) Spokesperson James B. Jimenez.听听

鈥淎 mere declaration to the contrary wouldn鈥檛, in my opinion, be sufficient to overcome the intention to run which is manifested in the verified CoC (certificate of candidacy),鈥澨齅r. Jimenez told reporters in a Viber group message on Wednesday.听听听

Under the omnibus election code, nuisance candidates are those who filed their CoC听鈥渢o 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,鈥澨齛nd those who听鈥渉ave no bona fide intention to run for the office.鈥澨听

Mr. Jimenez听explained that the provision on听鈥渢he lack of a bona fide intention to run needs to be proven.鈥澨听

One supposed placeholder is Senator Ronald听鈥淏ato鈥澨齅. dela Rosa, who filed his candidacy for president at the last minute on Oct. 8 and has admitted that the leaders of his party, PDP-Laban, instructed him to do so about two hours before the deadline. He also admitted that he is ready to give way to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio should she decide to run for the post.听听听

The Lakas ng Tao鈥揅hristian Muslim Democrats party also admitted on Tuesday that it is waiting for Ms. Duterte-Carpio to decide despite Anna C. Velasco, a member of the party, having filed her CoC for president.听听听

Substitution of candidates is allowed until Nov. 15 for the May 2022 national and local elections.听听

Comelec data听shows there are 97 aspirants for president, 29 for vice president, and 176 for senators, for which only the top 12 will be declared winners.听听

WITHDRAW
Meanwhile, former vice president and broadcast journalist Manuel Leuterio听鈥淣oli鈥澨齞e Castro, Jr.听announced Wednesday that he will withdraw his candidacy for the Senate.听听

鈥淚 want to convey to all my friends and supporters who are already preparing to help me (in my campaign) that I have decided to not pursue my candidacy. But my goal and purpose for the country has not changed,鈥澨齢e said in a statement.听听

He said that he would serve Filipinos better through continuing his work in broadcasting but will remain a member of the听Aksyon Demokratiko听party.听

Mr. De Castro left ABS-CBN on Oct. 7 and filed his certificate of candidacy the next day.听听

Manila Mayor Francisco听鈥淚sko鈥澨齅oreno Domagoso, standard bearer of Aksyon Demokratiko, said that he respects Mr. De Castro鈥檚 decision.听听听

Mr. De Castro听won a Senate seat in听2001, where he topped the race with over 16.2 million votes.听听听

He won as vice president in 2004 and served concurrently for six years as chair of the former听housing council upon the appointment of then President听Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.听鈥斕鼴ianca Angelica D.听A帽ago听and听Russell Louis C. Ku听

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