Poll substitution frenzy

It’s an old trick that Philippine politicians use every election season. As they approached the December 21 deadline for substitution, at least 50 politicians have called up the top election official, Sixto Brillantes, to inform him of their plans to withdraw from the race to give way to other candidates, according to Brillantes himself. Sen. Edgardo Angara himself backed out of a gubernatorial bid to give way to his younger brother Arthur. A former presidential bet, Eddie Villanueva, also filed his senatorial bid after a partymate withdrew from the race. In Pangasinan, socialite Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas filed her congressional bid after her daughter Rachelle withdrew her certificate of candidacy. The elections will be held in May 2013.

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