Señeres’ slot in presidential race still open–to a Señeres

THE COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) said the political party of the late Roy Señeres Sr. may still field a substitute presidential candidate—as long as the candidate is surnamed Señeres.

Comelec Chair Andres Bautista said the Partido ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka of Señeres, whose certificate of candidacy for president had been approved, had up to midday of May 9, election day, to field a substitute with the same surname.

The Comelec last week denied the application of Apolonia Comia-Soguilon to substitute for Señeres because she had a different last name.

The rule is contained in Comelec Resolution No. 9884, which states that any substitute of a candidate who has passed away or been disqualified may file a certificate of candidacy until midday of Election Day on May 9. But the substitute must have the same surname as the candidate being substituted.

“There is no prohibition for them to make [another] substitution. They can still do that,” Bautista told reporters in an interview.

He also noted that Señeres’ name was not removed from the official ballot because the Comelec was anticipating the party would still field a substitute candidate anytime up to midday of May 9.

Señeres died on Feb. 8, a few of days after expressing an intention to withdraw from the presidential race due to health issues.