There ought to be a law setting a timetable for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to decide whether or not a certain poll bet is indeed a "nuisance candidate".
Thus, said congressman-elect Romeo Jalosjos Jr. of Zamboanga del Norte's first district, who, despite his victory in the May 2022 polls isn't listed on the current roster of the House of Representatives.
"We must be clear about how long it takes to identify a nuisance candidate. There should be a time frame. We cannot just 'leave things be' or 'keep the course' for a couple of years or longer," Jalosjos said in a statement Thursday, Jan. 12.
The de-listed solon vowed to file a bill to this effect if and when he is permitted to return to his post in the House so as to avoid a repeat of his unfortunate experience during last year's elections.
One of the key provisions of his proposed legislation is to impose a 45-day time limit on the Comelec to determine whether a candidate is a nuisance candidate and should be disqualified, "para hindi na masama sa balota, para wala nang confusion na mangyayari sa eleksyon (so that the name will not be included in the ballot, so that there will be no confusion during the elections)".
Jalosjos emerged victorious in the May 2022 elections that pitted him against Roberto “Pinpin” Uy Jr. and one Frederico "Kuya Jun" Jalosjos Jr.
Kuya Jun, whose name was included in the ballot, was later declared by Comelec as a nuisance candidate. Comelec credited Jalosjos the 5,424 votes received by nuisance bet Kuya Jun, thereby giving the former the most votes in the race.
On June 23, Jalosjos was proclaimed the winner. But barely a month after he assumed his post, the Supreme Court (SC) issued a status quo ante order prior to the Comelec's May 10 and June 7 orders, which prompted the House secretary-general to remove him from the roster of the House of Representatives.
Jalosjos's removal from the House roster was questioned last month by Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers in a parliamentary inquiry. Barbers said the move was contrary to House rules.
Jalosjos--although disappointed with the turn of events--expressed confidence in the SC's wisdom to sort out the mess to its proper conclusion.
Meanwhile, the congressman-elect expressed support behind Comelec's plan to move the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) to an earlier date to effectively address the recurring problem on nuisance candidates.