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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'No more drama': Solon hails Comelec's scrapping of last-minute candidate substitutions

'No more drama': Solon hails Comelec's scrapping of last-minute candidate substitutions

Published May 16, 2024 12:40 pm

At A Glance

  • Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr. said there will be no more "drama" in the elections thanks to the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) decision to finally do away with the practice of last-minute withdrawals and substitutions among poll aspirants.

20240516_202516.jpgFormer president Rodrigo Duterte (left), Vice President Sara Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There will be no more "drama" in the elections thanks to the Commission on Elections' (Comelec) decision to finally do away with the practice of last-minute withdrawals and substitutions among poll aspirants. 

Thus, said Manila 6th district Rep. Bienvenido "Benny" Abante Jr., who noted that such practice compromises the integrity of the electoral process. 

“Wala na ‘yung surpre-surpresa, wala na ‘yung drama (No more surprises, no more drama)," Abante said as he welcomed the move on the part of Comelec. 

“Kaya ang desisyon ng Comelec ay isang paalala na sa halalan, hindi dapat gamitin ang loopholes o mga paraan upang mag-manipulate...Dapat alalahanin na ang integrity at transparency ay mahalaga sa tunay na demokrasya,” said the former deputy speaker. 

(The Comelec decision should serve as a reminder that the loopholes and processes of the elections shouldn't be manipulated...it should be remembered that integrity and transparency are important in a true democracy.) 

It can be recalled that in November 2015, then-Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte substituted for Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan's (PDP-Laban) initial presidential candidate for the 2016 elections, Martin Diño. 

Diño withdrew his candidacy after the Comelec questioned his capacity to carry out a national campaign. 

Duterte, who was subsequently substituted by his daughter Sara Duterte for mayor of Davao City, eventually won the 2016 presidential race by a landslide. 

Fast forward to 2021, then-Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for vice president as a substitute for her then-Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) party-mate, Lyle Uy.

 

Related Tags

Bienvenido benny Abante jr. substitution Rodrigo Duterte Sara Duterte COMELEC
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