DQ’d bet can’t sub for Señeres–Comelec

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday turned down the request of the political party of Roy Señeres to allow another to run for president in the late candidate’s stead.

“We denied the substitution of [Apolonia] Soguilon… because of a different last name,” said Comelec Chair Andres Bautista, referring to the person the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka chose as a substitute for Señeres.

Section 19 of Comelec Resolution No. 9984 states that any substitute of a candidate who has passed away or been disqualified may file a certificate of candidacy until midday of

May 9, the day of the elections.

But the same resolution also states that the substitute must have the same surname with the candidate being substituted.

Soguilon was among those whose candidacies the Comelec considered to be nuisance.

Melchor Chavez, the party’s secretary general, on Thursday went to the Comelec office in Manila to ask for a copy of the resolution. He said the party would appeal to the high court.

“If they wish to question our action, they’re free to go to the Supreme Court,” Bautista said.

Señeres passed away on Feb. 8, days after he expressed his intention to withdraw from the race due to health issues.

But his name stayed on the official ballot, as conflicting requests from his family and political party remained unresolved.

While Señeres’ political party wanted Soguilon to replace him in the presidential race, his family, through lawyer Candelaria Rivas, earlier told the Comelec that the late ambassador wanted no one to take his place as presidential candidate.