Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. (left) and Comelec chair George Garcia
MANILA, Philippines — After the House of Representatives approved last week House Bill No. 10524 removing from the election law the option of substitution by withdrawal, Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. now wants to delay the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for next year’s May 12 elections.
In filing House Resolution No. 1942, Abante argued that moving the deadline from Oct. 8 to Dec. 8 would “redound to the benefit of voters” because politicians would be given “sufficient time for candidates to make the appropriate evaluations, preparations and decisions.
“The substitution of candidates is no longer allowed after the last day of filing COCs except for reasons of death or disqualification of a candidate,” Abante said, adding that substitution on the ground of withdrawal was supposed to be allowed until Nov. 15.
His colleagues in the House condemned the practice as a “deception” contrived by traditional politicians for their own benefits, real or imagined.
House members even consolidated five separate bills HB 437, 5692, 8794, 9069 and 10186, removing Section 77 (candidate substitution) from Batas Pambansa No. 881, or the Omnibus Election Code.
Sincere service
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair George Erwin Garcia agreed that the practice was meant to be a deception that betrays politicians’ indecision whether to serve Filipinos.
“If you really want to render service to the public, isn’t it better, if you’re really decided, for you to disclose it quickly [and] file your candidacy already,” Garcia asked, after the Comelec unanimously decided to outlaw the practice last May.
Under the new Comelec rule, no substitution of candidates will be allowed after the period for the filing of candidacies from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, except for meritorious reasons, like death or incapacitating developments.
But Abante argued that the ban on substitution by withdrawal or the use of placeholders was not taken into consideration in the schedule.
The lawmaker pointed out that the registration of candidacies of “original” and “substitute” candidates involved similar processes and requirements.
“Finalizing the list of candidates and printing ballots should not be a serious concern due to the advancement of printing technology,” he said, without explaining why he thought the old system was needed in the first place.
Election activities
Under the Comelec schedule of activities for the May 12, 2025, elections, the last day of the Register Anywhere Program will be on Aug. 31 while the last day of registration for local and overseas voters ends on Sept. 30.
Sept. 1 to Sept. 28 was designated as the period for political parties to hold their conventions and select or nominate their candidates.
Oct. 1 to Oct. 8 will be for the filing of certificates of candidacies, certificates of nominations and acceptances.
The usual election period gun ban will begin on Jan. 12, 2025, and will last until June 11.
The campaign period for senatorial candidates and partylist groups will be from Feb. 11 to May 10, excluding April 17, Maundy Thursday, and April 18, Good Friday.
For candidates to the House of Representatives, parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal officials will be from March 28 until May 10, excluding April 17, Maundy Thursday, and April 18, Good Friday.
The 2025 midterm elections will also be held alongside the election of parliamentary officials in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.