Escudero favors ‘involuntary’ substitution policy to prevent poll violence

Sorsogon Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero. INQUIRER.NET/CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — Sorsogon Governor and senatorial aspirant Francis “Chiz” Escudero favors retaining the “involuntary” substitution of candidates to maintain peace during elections.

In an interview with DWIZ on Saturday, Escudero said involuntary substitution happens when a candidate becomes ill or severely unhealthy to push through with the candidacy.

“So, para sa’kin, pabor akong panatilihin ‘yun pero ‘yung substitution dapat manatiling bukas kapag involuntary ‘yung hindi pagpapatuloy ng kandidatura ninuman,” he explained.

(For me, I favor retaining the substitution as long as the withdrawal of the candidate is involuntary.)

“Hindi dapat ‘yung, ‘ayoko na’ or ‘ako muna ‘yung magpapainit ng upuan, hihintayin ko may papalit sa’kin dahil baka mamaya wala na siyang mapuntahan o wala ng choice.’ ‘Yung mga ganu’n, ‘yung mga voluntary withdrawal, ‘yun siguro ang pag-aralan na ‘wag payagan,” Escudero added.

(Not those who are saying, “I don’t want it anymore” or “I will warm the seat first and wait until someone replaces me because he/she may have no slot left.” Those voluntary withdrawals, maybe that should be reviewed.)

According to Escudero, the substitution policy in elections helps prevent the killings of aspiring politicians.

“Sa kasaysayan, alam mo ‘yung substitution hanggang tanghalian ng araw ng eleksyon ay pinapayagan dahil nakaiwas ‘yan sa maraming patayan sa eleksyon dahil kahit patayin mo ‘yung kalaban mo, pwede pa rin siyang palitan ng kamag-anak niya up to 12 noon of election day,” the governor explained.

(In history, substitution is allowed as it prevents killings during elections as the candidate can be replaced by his/her relative up to 12 noon of election day.)

“Dahil sa probisyon ng batas na ‘yan, naiwasan ‘yung patayan sa halalan sa pagitan ng mga kandidato,” he went on.

(With that provision, killings among candidates are avoided during elections.)

For the 2022 elections, substitution for party-list nominees due to withdrawal is allowed until November 15 this year.

According to the Omnibus Election Code, a substituting aspirant may file his candidacy until mid-day of the elections — or May 9, 2022 —  when the running candidate has either died or has become incapacitated.

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