THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday, November 19, 2021, said having a history of substance abuse cannot be used to disqualify aspirants in the May 2022 polls and in future elections.

In a brief statement, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said having had a history of drug use is not a ground for disqualification of a candidate.

"Substance abuse is not among the disqualifications provided for by law," Jimenez said.

He said no less than the Supreme Court (SC) has already ruled on the matter when the Comelec tried to include it as among the grounds.

"The Comelec did try to require candidates to submit a negative drug test several elections ago. The move was disapproved by the Supreme Court," Jimenez said.

In 2004, the Comelec en Banc issued a resolution making it mandatory for all candidates to undergo a mandatory drug test.

The poll body had then stated that no person elected to any public office may assume his/her post until he has undergone a mandatory drug test.

However, in 2008, the SC declared the Comelec resolution as being unconstitutional.

The SC had then said the Comelec has no power to impose qualifications on candidates in addition to what the Constitution provides.

The Comelec's latest statement comes on the heels of President Rodrigo Duterte's claim that a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections was a cocaine user. (HDT/SunStar Philippines)