Comelec says declared nuisance bets in the past may still file COCs
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said those declared as nuisance candidates in the past may still file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2022 polls.

Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said they will accept the COCs of said individuals saying it is possible that they are no longer nuisance candidates.
"It is possible that they are no longer nuisance candidates. We cannot automatically say that just because they are nuisance in the past, their circumstances haven't changed now," he said in a press briefing at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tents in Pasay City where the filing of COCs for national positions is currently being held.
"We have to take each case as it comes," he added.
Jimenez explained that all COCs will undergo screening process before they are given due course.
If in case they were later identified as potential nuisance candidate, he said, said individuals will be given an opportunity to defend their candidacy.
"There will be a hearing for that," said Jimenez.
Under Comelec rules, the commission can file motu proprio cases to declare a candidate as a nuisance candidate.
Those that could be declared as nuisance bets are those that filed their COCs to “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 is clearly demonstrated to have no bona fide intention to run for public office."