The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will publish certificates of candidacy for the 2025 national and local elections on its website for the first time, enhancing transparency following concerns involving Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
COMELEC Chairperson George Erwin Garcia clarified during the information drive in Puerto Princesa City that the copies of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) to be posted on the website will include only the information required by Section 74 of the Omnibus Election Code.
The section outlines the required contents of a certificate of candidacy. It specifies that the certificate must affirm the candidate’s announcement for a specified office, their eligibility, and a commitment to support and defend the Philippine Constitution.
It should include personal details such as full name, civil status, birthdate, residence, and profession, along with a declaration that the candidate is not a permanent resident or immigrant to a foreign country. The certificate also needs to state that the candidate will obey all laws and that the information provided is accurate to the best of their knowledge.
In addition, candidates must use their legal name as registered or baptized, unless changed through a court-approved proceeding. If candidates share the same name and surname, they must include their paternal and maternal surnames to avoid confusion, except for incumbents who may use the name from their previous successful candidacy.
“Kung ano ‘yong niri-require ng batas sa Section 74 ng Omnibus Election Code, yon ang ilalagay namin sa website. Para ‘yong mga kababayan natin ay pwede mag-question, pwede mag-file ng petition sa COMELEC laban sa kandidato,” he said.
He reiterated that COMELEC is mandated to accept all COCs and remove candidates confirmed as nuisances. However, the candidacies of aspirants with issues related to age, citizenship, literacy, or residency can only be canceled by filing a petition with the Commission.
Garcia clarified further that in the case of Guo, her candidacy for the 2022 elections, filed in October 2021, went unchallenged as no petitions were filed or questions raised against her.
Guo, the ex-mayor of Bamban, Tarlac, gained notoriety when her personal history and actions were subjected to thorough examination.
Initially hailed as the first female mayor of Bamban, she later became embroiled in accusations of being a Chinese operative and was implicated in illicit endeavors, such as the facilitation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) under her jurisdiction.
Her past was scrutinized, particularly due to the delayed registration of her birth, which occurred 17 years later than expected. She was also unable to provide precise information about her early life in Senate hearings.
About 500,000 aspirants are filing for their candidacies every midterm election, which prompts the need for the Commission to request candidates provide additional documents to support their qualifications, such as birth certificates.
However, COMELEC has no power to add qualifications that are not stated in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, Garcia said.
“Sabi ng Korte Suprema, walang kapangyarihan ang COMELEC na magdagdag ng kwalipikasyon na wala naman sa Saligang Batas kaya wala kaming magagawa,” he said.
Individuals who will be convicted of election offenses such as misrepresentation will not be able to avail themselves of pardon without the consent of the Commission, he added.
“Kahit gusto ng pinakamataas na opisyal ng pamahalaan na magbigay ng pardon, hindi mabibigay ‘yan kung wala kaming consent. At hindi kami basta-basta magbibigay ng walang consent kung ang winalanghiya ay demokrasiya natin at boto ng sambayanan,” said Garcia. (RG/PIA Mimaropa-Palawan)
