THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday reconsidered the bids of six candidates for the coming May elections.
It approved the candidacy of independent presidential candidates Nicanor Perlas and Vetallano Acosta.
This brings the presidential aspirants to 10 including Liberal Party’s Noynoy Aquino, Olongapo City councilor and Ang Kapatiran Party’s JC De Los Reyes, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino’s Joseph Estrada, Bagumbayan-Volunteers for a New Philippines (VNP)’s Richard Gordon, Independent candidate Jamby Madrigal, Lakas-Kampi-CMD’s Gilbert Teodoro, Bangon Pilipinas Party Bro. Eddie Villanueva, and Nacionalista Party’s Manny Villar.
In resolution no. 8743, the bid of green candidate Perlas was approved because of his “distinguished track record and public service.”
Five commissioners approved Perlas’s candidacy while Comelec Chairman Jose Melo and Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer rejected it.
“I'm really touched by the decision because we already expected that we will go to the Supreme Court,” Perlas said, reacting to the decision of the poll body.
Perlas described the decision as historical, saying it creates a precedent for “really qualified candidates” that money is not the weapon of candidates but their vision.
The green advocate submitted to the Comelec messages from the petitions across the globe, which he said also helped in the decision.
Acosta, who filed his candidacy as an independent candidate, meanwhile was approved by the commission because he was later on nominated by registered political party, Kilusang Bagong Lipunan (KBL).
“Oppositor (Acosta) alleged that KBL is ready and will wage and sustain a campaign using the nationwide organization and network of the party and its officer and campaign workers,” the resolution cited.
The other 89 candidates for president who filed an opposition/motion for reconsideration were denied by the poll body despite the additional proofs they submitted.
“The Commission is not convinced of the capacity of these oppositors to launch a nationwide campaign."
Among those who were denied included Marcos loyalist Oliver Lozano, Philippine Green Republican Party candidate Felix Cantal, Mario "Mark Jimenez" Crespo, retired General Romeo Maganto, Amado Calderon, and Levi Agustin a.k.a. “Nonoy."
Lim, Osmena bids okayed
Four senatorial candidates were also approved by the poll body, which includes former Cebu governor Lito Osmena, detained Brigadier General Danilo Lim, and independent candidates Nanette Espinosa and Adz Nikabulin.
The commission said it was the certificate of nomination issued by the Liberal Party showing support to Lim that prompted them to reconsider his bid.
“The adoption of Lim as an official candidate of the Liberal Party carried with it unequivocal commitment of machinery and logistics, rendering him capable, despite his incarceration, of waging a campaign sizeable enough to give him not only the possibility, but also the probability of winning a senatorial seat.”
On Osmena's case, the commission ruled in favor of him because he has shown that “he is not a political neophyte and has vast experience in mounting and conducting national campaigns with credible results.”
In the opposition he filed, Osmena proved that his candidacy is not meant to cause confusion as he has the same surname with another senatorial candidate, his cousin Sergio Osmena III.
Osmena's lawyer Michael Balagtas told Sun.Star that his client is glad with the decision of the commission.
“My client is quite happy that Comelec ruled in favor of him... especially that the Comelec recognized his track record,” said Balagtas.
“Osmena has shown that he and his party have proven track records in running for a national position and conducting a credible and more decent national campaign,” cited the resolution.
Espinosa was approved also because of its nomination from KBL.
Nikabulin, on the other hand, was adopted by the Bangon Pilipinas Party of Bro. Eddie Villanueva, thus was not considered a nuisance candidate.
According to Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, disqualified candidates have five days to file their case to the Supreme Court.
Candidates approved now totaled to 80 candidates -- 10 for president, eight for vice president, and 62 for senators. (Kathrina Alvarez/Sunnex)