THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) XI is awaiting the guidelines indicating the no substitution of candidates filing for candidacy for the 2024 midterm elections this October.
In an interview, Atty. Gay Enumerables, Comelec XI assistant regional director, said the office “has not yet received a copy of the said policy related to the disallowment of substitution of candidates.”
According to Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia, the poll body en banc has agreed to set the COC filing period for next year’s polls on Oct. 1-8.
This was decided after noticing that the said substitution would be used “for the wrong purpose and that the privilege has also been abused as a tactic of the aspirant candidates in the Midterm Election.”Garcia also said the decision to limit the period for substitute bets is for candidates to declare their intent to run for a public position immediately.
However, Enumerables did not provide data on whether the act was observed in their jurisdiction, and whether the same privilege was used to oppose parties and politicians during the trial of their certificate of candidacy.
She also reminded that the last day of voter registration is Sept. 30.
