Former National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson Antonio Parlade Jr. filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president on Monday, Nov. 15.
Parlade substituted for Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP) presidential bet Antonio Valdes also withdrew his candidacy on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Valdes however, is listed as an independent candidate in the tentative list of the Comelec despite being under KDP. The Comelec has reiterated before that independent candidates cannot be substituted.
In a press briefing after the 5 p.m. deadline for filing substitutions and withdrawals, Comelec spokesman James Jimenez whatever incidents are involved with individuals personalities, it will be resolved by the Comelec in due time.
Parlade became controversial and was criticized for red-tagging certain officials as well as his relentless anti-communist insurgency views,
He has also red-tagged various media and student organizations who have spoken out against the government’s actions in various political issues.
Meanwhile, Ramon "Monmon" Mitra also personally filed his COC for senator. He replaced a certain Jesus Durian Jr. of KDP.