'Terror' bets face disqualification
"Terror" bets beware!
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is bent on disqualifying candidates who are out to use force and intimidation during the campaign period and employ the 'scare tactic' to get votes on the May election.
Contained in Comelec Resolution 7800, further covered for disqualification are candidates proven to bribe voters and spend more than the allowed election campaign expenditures.
In an interview, Comelec Provincial Director Elizabeth Doronilla told The News Today (TNT) that disqualification cases may be filed locally through the Provincial Election Supervisors. Corresponding review of the evidences of the complaint will immediately be conducted then submitted for action in the Comelec's Law Department.
In the event that the case or complaint hangs until the subject candidate will be proclaimed, the victory may still be stripped from the winning bet should the Comelec Central Office resolves against the supposed winner.
With some four days to go for the local bets to file Certificates of Candidacy, Doronilla said no disqualification case has been filed to date however she assured of immediate action from her end in the event of said petition and complaint set to be received.
No less than Comelec Commissioner Benjamin Abalos reiterated the powers of the Comelec with the suspension of a previous regulation in order to attain speedy disposition of disqualification cases filed before the poll body.
A petition to deny or cancel certificate of candidacy must be filed with the COMELEC not later than 25 days from the filing of the COC and five days from the last day of filing of COC while a petition to declare a candidate as nuisance must also be filed within five days from the last day of filing of COC.
Local bets have until March 29 to file their COC.
"The COMELEC may motu propio disqualify candidates whose COC put the election process in mockery or could cause confusion among voters," Abalos in a press statement then said.