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MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner George Garcia reminded candidates on Thursday that their certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) will stay even if they change affiliations after they filed their candidacy.
“Whatever is your party at the time of filing of the candidacy stays. Your CONA stays,” Garcia said in a press briefing in the Comelec session hall in Intramuros, Manila.
“Whatever change in your affiliation after the filing of your candidacy, after the period, doesn’t matter. What will be the basis always of determining your party is your party at the time of the filing of the candidacy,” he further explained.
The Comelec already started printing the ballots last January.
Garcia made the clarification after Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s resignation from Partido Reporma, saying his resignation will make him an independent candidate.
Lacson resigned from Partido Reporma as the party decided to support another presidential candidate.