THE Commission On Elections thru provincial supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria has thoroughly explained what makes an election candidate official even if he/she already filed his/her Certificate of Candidacy.
He said in media interview that the provincial Comelec office, like Bohol, follows the existing process.
He said that all the COCs, including those submitted from the towns, received in his office, will be forwarded to Comelec’s legal department and check their veracity and corrections be made ready for publication.
This takes only after the decision of the COMELC sitting en banc. The power of the provincial office is recommendatory only, he added.
After this, the Comelec, en banc again, will decide after those found to be disqualified. Substitution is allowed within the period given, or COC withdrawn or change the position a candidate wanted to change and run for.
For instance, former NIA director Engr, Modesto Membreve filed COC for Board member (2nd district), but after awhile, he changed his mind and withdrew his COC for BM and change it to COC for congressman in the said district, just a few hours before deadline (5pm, Oct. 8) ticked.
But those who will substitute must replace the same position the disqualified one has applied for and must have a party member of the same political party.
There is no substitution if candidate runs as an independent, Labaria said.
After this, the Comelec en banc will render the final list of official candidates. Those published as official candidates are those whose names officially appeared in the official ballots.
The Comelec thru Labaria pins high hopes for peaceful, clean and orderly local and national elections. (rvo)
