Comelec sees up to 15 presidential bets, 12 in VP race in 2022 polls

FILE PHOTO: Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez. INQUIRER.net/Ryan Leagogo

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino voters could potentially choose from up to 15 presidential bets and 12 vice presidential candidates on the ballot for the 2022 polls.

In a press conference Monday, Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesperson James Jimenez reiterated that motu propio cases have been filed to declare as nuisance 82 of the 97 aspirants filed their certificates of candidacy for the presidency.

“So kung [So if] 15 ang mag-qualify, wala tayong [will qualify, we have no] choice, we go with 15,” he said.

“The largest number of presidential candidates that we’ve had is 10, if I’m not mistaken. That was in the late 90’s,” he noted.

For the vice presidential race, Comelec has moved to declare as nuisance 15 aspirants, according to Jimenez.

“Fifteen (for president) and 12 (for vice president), medyo [that’s a bit] lopsided but ganyan talaga [but it is what it is], that is why you vote for them separately,” he pointed out.

Jimenez noted that the Comelec does not declare aspirants as nuisance just to trim the number of names on the final election ballot.

“Kung walang dahilan [If there is no reason] to cancel them, remember cancellation is not about cutting down the number of candidates. We are not out to reduce the number of candidates, we are out to remove the candidates who are nuisance, or illegitimate candidates yun lang,” he said.

“For the most part, it is whether or not they have legitimate or bona fide intentions to run for office,” he added.

According to Jimenez, those who will be declared as nuisance candidates can still make an appeal before the Comelec.

The list of candidates for the 2022 polls is set to be announced on Dec. 15, he added.

JPV