MANILA, Philippines -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will accept the certificate of candidacy (COC) of former President Joseph Estrada in case he files one, an official of the poll body said on Tuesday.

Comelec commissioner Rene Sarmiento said it was “ministerial” for them to accept all COCs to be field by candidates seeking an elective position.

At the hearing of the oversight committee of the House of Representatives, Parañaque Representative Roilo Golez and Cagayan de Oro Representative Rufus Rodriguez inquired about the action of the Comelec if Estrada files his COCs.

“It is ministerial on our part to receive the certificate of candidacy,” Sarmiento said but stressed that it was his personal opinion.

Sarmiento also agreed with Rodriguez that it would be up to other person or groups to oppose it.

The basic grounds for disqualification of a candidate include foreign citizenship or being a nuisance candidate, he said.

Legal opinions are varied on whether Estrada can run anew for president in the May 2010 elections.

The Constitution bars an incumbent President from seeking reelection.

The deposed leader had insisted that he was eligible for the 2010 race since he did not finish his term after he was thrown out of office in 2001.

Estrada, who was ousted in a “people power” uprising, convicted of plunder and then granted pardon on the condition he would no longer seek public office, had also argued that his political rights had been “restored” by the same executive clemency.

Estrada had said he might run for President if the opposition does not unite and come up with a single standard-bearer next year.

The deadline for the filing of COCs is on November 30.