Comelec gets 10 substitutions, 19 withdrawals for national posts in 2022

President Rodrigo Duterrte filed his COC for senator on Monday, Nov. 15, 2021. (Screenshot from the Comelec website.

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) recorded 10 aspirants who substituted for national elective posts in the 2022 national elections.

Meanwhile, a total of 15 aspirants voluntarily withdrew their certificates of candidacy (COCs) during the whole period allowed for substitution and withdrawal, which was from Oct. 9 to Nov. 15, according to Comelec.

Among those who made withdrawals and substitutions were Sen. Christoper “Bong” Go, who withdrew from the vice presidential race to run instead for president, and Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who withdrew his COC for the presidency for good.

Another notable change in the list was made by veteran journalist Noli de Castro’ who withdrew his COC as early as Oct. 13, and was replaced by Joseph “Jopet” Sison.

READ: Ex-VP Noli de Castro withdraws candidacy for senator

Other notable aspirants substituted for lesser-known filers — tagged as “placeholders” — for their respective positions:

• Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio who replaced Lyle Uy for vice president
• President Rodrigo Duterte who replaced Liezl Vizorde for senator
• former anti-communist insurgency task force spokesman Antonio Parlade Jr. who replaced Antonio Valdes for president
• former chief of police Guillermo Eleazar who replaced Paolo Capino for senator
• former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque who replaced Paolo Martelino

Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez noted an increase in the number of substitutions in national posts.

“Substitution has been going on for a long time. It’s been part and parcel of the practice in Philippine politics. Maybe it’s only now that it became more prominent precisely because it is played out at the highest levels,” Jimenez said in a press briefing.

“Before, it was rare for you to see that [on] the national level,” he added.

Jimenez then reminded that starting Nov. 16, while aspirants would still be allowed to withdraw their COCs at any time, no more substitutions would be accepted for voluntary withdrawals.

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