Comelec: Junjun Binay may not be included in 2016 polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday said that there is a possibility for suspended Makati City Mayor Jejomar Erwin “Junjun” Binay not to be included in next year’s polls.

At a press briefing, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista was asked if Binay’s name would be removed in the ballot for next year’s polls should his camp fails to secure a temporary restraining order countering the Ombudsman’s order dismissing him from office.

“That is a possibility,” Bautista answered.

Bautista said that since they have not yet received a court order barring Binay from filing his certificate of candidacy (COC), they will have to accept it.

However, accepting a COC does not immediately make a person an official candidate, Bautista emphasized.

“The question is: will he [Binay] become an official candidate?” he asked.

The official list of candidates will be released by Comelec on December 10 after the poll body evaluates the status of each candidate and decide on protests filed against those who aspire for an elective post.

The Ombudsman’s decision released last October 9 perpetually barred Binay and 19 other government officials from government service over the allegedly anomalous P2.2 billion Makati City Hall Building 2.

Junjun Binay intends to run for reelection for his third term as Makati City mayor. He has not filed a certificate of candidacy with the Comelec, but his vice mayor, now acting Makati Mayor Romulo Peña, has officially declared his mayoralty bid on Monday with Karla Mercado as his running mate. AU