(Comelec Facebook)

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) finds itself in a tight spot when it comes to which election candidates should be declared as "nuisance".

This, after the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that the unpopularity of a candidate, or non-membership in a political party, as well as the lack of financial capacity to run a campaign, were not sufficient grounds to declare one a nuisance candidate.

"Bagama't lumiit ang ating pagkakataon sa law department na makapaghanap ng dahilan para madeclare na nuisance candidate, titingnan namin, mayroon pa rin namang natirang dalawa para ma-determine kung ikaw ay bona fide na kakandidato (Although our chances of getting an opportunity to appeal for a declaration of disqualification as a nuisance candidate in the law department are limited, we still have two other options to determine if you're a bona fide candidate)," Comelec spokesman lawyer John Rex Laudiangco told the media during the second day of filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs).

Many of the perennial poll aspirants who have so far filed their COC for senator have criticized Comelec for disqualifying them due to their lack of financial capacity or for being not well-known. 

With these two factors out of the picture, Laudiangco said that they will observe the aspirants during the filing to check their actions, or to find out if they know what they're running for.

"Kasi maaring nagfa-file ka ng senador ngunit yung sinasabi mo naman na trabaho ay hindi para sa senador, baka hindi lubusang nauunawan yung posisyon (You may be running for senator, but the job you're referring to doesn't quite suit that of a senator. Perhaps there's a lack of full understanding of the position involved)," he said.

The other thing Comelec is looking at is those who filed their COCs only to disrupt or confuse the voting public in an attempt to get votes at someone else's expense.

Laudiangco assured the public that they'll make a factual assessment to establish that someone does not have a bona fide intention for the position they're running for.

"Kasi makikita naman po natin yan eh, siya ba ay talagang seryoso o gusto niya lang makita na nagfa-file ng COC, makunan ng litrato, makita sa TV, may mga ganyan po kasi (Because we can see that, if he or she is really serious or if he or she just wants to be seen filing a COC, getting photographed, being on TV, because there are people like that)," he added.

Fewer filers

More familiar names in the political scene were seen during the second day of COC filing for national positions at the Tent City in Manila Hotel on Wednesday, Oct. 3.

During the first day of filing, a total of 17 filed for senator while 15 filed for party-list representation. As of writing, only eight have filed for senator while nine filed for party-list representation.

More reelectionists surfaced to file their COCs before Comelec.
 

Imee Marcos

Senator Imee Marcos was one of the first to file her COC on the second day, and cemented her reelectionist bid.

She once again addressed criticisms that she's "sailing in two rivers", namely the Dutertes and Marcoses. She emphasized that her decision to withdraw from the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate negates this accusation. 

While she did not resign and chose to stay and run under the Nacionalista Party, Marcos said that she will no longer be joining any alliances composed of different parties.

"It's very important to me that I'm able in every case cross the line and to be able to speak to each and every sector and finally get the work done," she added.

'Macho bloc' eyes return to Senate

Members of the so-called 'Macho bloc' composed of former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, former senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson and reelectionist Senator Lito Lapid are seeking a return to the upper chamber.

Sotto and Lapid is running under the Nationalist People's Coalition (NPC) party.

Lacson, an independent, accompanied both Sotto and Lapid in filing their COCs. He came as a guest candidate.

He said that, should he be given another mandate as senator, he would no longer need to reinvent himself.

"I pledge to continue not availing of the pork barrel allocation in any shape or form. I will continue being a vanguard, if you will, of the annual national budget to the best of my ability," he said.

Lacson added that he will help President Marcos pursue his administration’s programs to benefit the majority of the Filipino people in alignment with the State of the Nation Address (SONA) message last year and in cadence with his personal credo: Ang tama ay ipaglaban, ang mali ay labanan (What is right must be kept right, what is wrong must be set right). 

Lapid said that it would be his fourth term if he wins again in 2025. He mentioned that he'd focus on agri-tourism specifically the one town, one product program as well as enhancing the law he passed on free legal assistance.

"Siguro sa experience ko ay pwede na kong manungkulan ulit (I think for my experience I am capable of serving again)," he added.

Sotto said he plans to pursue the enactment of the bill that he previously filed on the rightsizing of the government.

"Sixty-plus percent of the budget of the government every year more than P6 trillion goes to personal services and a big chunk also of the 40 percent left goes to debt servicing so almost nothing is left to be given or distributed to our people," he said. 

"Rightizing the government really is a very important thing that we should do," he added.

He added that he would also push for a law that would outlaw fake news and false content. Sotto also mentioned the 14th-month pay law.
 

Perennial poll aspirants

Another perennial poll aspirant, Eric Negapatan--who ran for senator and for president in the past--once again filed a COC for senator for the 2025 elections.

He said that he would get the P800 quadrillion that the Marcos family left in London. He promised to provide free food, electricity, and water for Filipinos in 2025 after talking to all the kings in every nation of the world.

Another senatorial aspirant, Magno Manalo, filed a COC while expressing his support for Negapatan.

Bethsaida Lopez, a senatorial aspirant, criticized the poll body for allegedly declaring her a nuisance candidate in past elections due to her financial incapacity. 

 

'Diwata' of pares fame as party-list representative?

In a sudden turn of events, Deo Balbuena, popularly known "Diwata" from his "pares overload" business, declared himself as the fourth nominee of the Vendors Party-list. 

"Wala pa talgang nagrerepresent para po magkaroon ng boses ang bawat maninindang Pilipino kaya nandito po kami ngayon bilang isang boses ng maninindang Pilipino di lang po sa Manila kundi sa buong Pilipinas (There's no party-list to represent Filipino vendors so we're here to act as their voice not only for Manila but for the whole country)," he said.
 

Trillanes accompanies Magdalo bet

Former Senator Sonny Trillanes IV accompanied former congressman Gary Alejano, the first nominee of the Magdalo Party-list. 

"Kami'y natutuwa na mabibigyan ulit kami ng pagkakataon na magsilbi sa bansa (We're glad that we're being given the chance to serve the country again)," he said.

Other filers Wednesday were Ang Kumadrona Party-list led by Arnel Guballa, United Senior Citizens Party-list led by Milagros Aquino Magsaysay, Pwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat led by Mathew Bryan Lim, Pamana Party-list led Senen Jerez, Barkadahan Party-list led Prince Dandy Midtimbang Ferenal, A Teacher Party-list led by Juliet Regudo Cortuna, and Apat Dapat Party-list.