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Philippines

Comelec: Substance abuse not a ground to disqualify election candidates

Philippines

Comelec: Substance abuse not a ground to disqualify election candidates

By Analou de Vera

Comelec/MB

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that substance abuse is not included among the grounds in order to disqualify a candidate who is running in an election.

“Substance abuse is not among the disqualifications provided for by law,” said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez on Friday, Nov. 19.

“In any case, the Comelec did try to require candidates to submit a negative drug test several elections ago. The move was disapproved by the Supreme Court,” he added.

Based on the Sec. 12 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines, “any person who has been declared by competent authority insane or incompetent, or has been sentenced by final judgment for subversion, insurrection, rebellion or for any offense for which he has been sentenced to a penalty of more than eighteen months or for a crime involving moral turpitude, shall be disqualified to be a candidate and to hold any office, unless he has been given plenary pardon or granted amnesty.”

Jimenez made the statement after President Duterte on Nov. 18 claimed that one presidential candidate is into cocaine and described that person as a "weak leader."

Related Tags

substance abuse Commission on Elections (Comelec)

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