The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not discounting the possibility of having an unprecedented number of withdrawals and substitutions in the May 2022 polls especially for national positions.
"I think at the national level, that is a very distinct possibility," Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in a television interview Thursday, Nov. 11.
"At the local level this is pretty common but at the national level this is sort of, as you said, unprecedented," he added.
On Tuesday, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte withdrew her candidacy for reelection. The move fueled speculation of her possible presidential bid.
Presidential aspirant Senator Ronald dela Rosa earlier expressed readiness to withdraw his certificate of candidacy (COC) to give way to Duterte.
In Resolution No. 10717, the Comelec said an aspirant from a duly registered political party or coalition, who dies, withdraws, or is disqualified for any cause after the last day for the filing of COCs, may be substituted by an aspirant belonging to, and nominated by, the same political party or coalition.
It added that no substitute shall be allowed for any independent candidate.
The poll body said a substitute for an aspirant/candidate, who died or was disqualified by final judgment, may file a COC up to mid-day of Election Day.
Last month, Jimenez said substitution due to withdrawal shall not be allowed after Nov. 15.
"After that, only involuntary substitution will be allowed," he said.