Why Comelec entertains ‘habitual’ nuisance bets

Paterno R. Esmaquel II

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Kris Aquino's 'husband' is among a fifth of senatorial COC filers who have been previously declared as nuisance candidates

MANILA, Philippines – Like relatives of his self-proclaimed wife Kris, he has made it a habit to enter politics. But unlike politicians from the Aquino family, he has always been declared a nuisance bet.

Daniel Magtira, 52, listed Kris Aquino as his spouse when he filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last October 1. It was not his first time to do this, having run for various positions for the past 11 years.

KRIS' HUSBAND. Daniel Magtira, 52, is a 'veteran' nuisance candidate. Photo by Reynaldo Santos Jr

A Commission on Elections (Comelec) resolution in 2009 shows that Magtira already ran for president in 2010 and 2004, and for senator in 2007 and 2001. The Comelec repeatedly disqualified him as a nuisance bet.

Like Magtira, a fifth of those who filed their senatorial COCs last week have previously been disqualified by the Comelec. Declared as nuisance candidates, they range from those who are mentally unfit, to those who want to confuse the public, to those without financial means to run a nationwide campaign.

Research by Rappler shows that based on Comelec Resolution No. 8713 in 2009, 16 out of the 84 COC filers last week had already been disqualified by the Comelec. The so-called habitual nuisance bets include the following, along with the years when they got disqualified:

  1. Bernardino, Aeric (independent) – ran for senator in 2010

  2. Cadag, Victorio Angelo (independent) – ran for senator in 2010

  3. Cadion, Leo (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan or KBL) – ran for vice president in 2010 

  4. Capular, Elizabeth (independent) – ran for president in 2010, senator in 2007 

  5. Chavez, Melchor (KBL) – ran for senator in 2010/2007/2004/2001

  6. Factor, Generoso (independent) – ran for president in 2010

  7. Falcone, Baldomero (Democratic Party of the Philippines) – ran for vice president in 2010

  8. Fernandez, Eduardo (independent) – ran for president in 2010

  9. Lawag, Victor (independent) – ran for president in 2010

  10. Lope, Wendell (independent) – ran for president in 2010/2004

  11. Lozano, Oliver (KBL) – ran for president in 2010

  12. Magtira, Daniel (nominated by “Lady Imelda Marcos” and “Rep Carlo Lopez”) – ran for president in 2010/2004; ran for senator in 2007/2001

  13. Nocon, Valeriano III (independent) – ran for president in 2010

  14. Po, Manuel (independent) – ran for president in 2010/2004; ran for senator in 2007/2001

  15. Rirao, Marlon (independent) – ran for senator in 2010

  16. Santosidad, Rebecca (independent) – ran for president in 2010

PLATFORM: RAILWAYS. Disqualified in previous elections, Aeric Bernardino now wants to be senator to improve the country's train system. Photo by Reynaldo Santos Jr

OLD TIMER. Filing his COC for the 4th time, Melchor Chavez is a member of the Marcos-era Kilusang Bagong Lipunan. Photo by Reynaldo Santos Jr

In past elections, each met the Comelec’s definition of a nuisance bet, namely, anyone who files a COC “to put the election process in mockery or disrepute or to cause confusion among the voters by the similarity of the names of the registered candidates, or who by other acts or circumstances is clearly demonstrated to have no bona fide intention to run for the office for which the COC has been filed.”

During this year’s COC filing, however, the Comelec still granted them their 15 minutes of fame. Why does the poll body keep on entertaining habitual nuisance bets?

Due process

Comelec Chair Sixto Brillantes Jr said it’s all about fairness. “Filing a certificate of candidacy is a matter of right. They have the right to file. We cannot prevent them,” Brillantes said in an interview.

He said even habitual nuisance bets deserve due process, as required by the law.

Brillantes said in the next few days, the Comelec will send notices to all candidates who appear “illegitimate,” and will subject them to a hearing within 10 days.

Sandali lang naman ‘yon,” he added, referring to the process of screening nuisance bets. “Makikita mo naman. ‘Pag tinanong mo, alam mo na agad.” (That’s quick anyway… You’ll easily spot them. Throw them a question and you will know.)

Within 5 days from the last day of filing COCs, any registered candidate for the same position could also petition the Comelec to declare someone as a nuisance candidate, according to Comelec Resolution No. 9523.

This was what happened when now Sen Alan Peter Cayetano, in the 2007 senatorial race, sought the disqualification of a certain Joselito Pepito Cayetano. He believed the Arroyo camp used the other Cayetano to sabotage his senatorial bid. The Comelec later declared Joselito Pepito Cayetano a nuisance candidate.

Then a senator, now President Benigno Aquino III in 2007 also sought the disqualification of a certain Theodore Aquino. The Comelec also declared the latter a nuisance candidate.

For 2013, Brillantes said the screening of nuisance bets could drastically lower the number of senatorial candidates for 2013. The last time the Philippines held midterm elections – in 2007 – the Comelec disqualified half the number of senatorial candidates, decreasing them to 37 from 79.

Privilege, not a right

Nuisance bets abound partly because of the Constitution’s loose requirements for occupying the Senate.

“No person shall be a senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least 35 years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election,” says Article VI, Section 3 of the 1987 Constitution.

The Constitution also mandates the state to “guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service.”

Why, then, does the Comelec have to disqualify nuisance bets?

In a 2004 resolution, the Supreme Court (SC) clarified that running for public office is a privilege, not a right.

The SC’s Resolution No. 161872, dated April 13, 2004, addressed the complaint of lawyer Elly Pamatong, then declared a nuisance bet in the 2004 elections. Pamatong wanted the Comelec to reverse its decision because it allegedly violates his right to “equal access to opportunities for public service,” as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Implicit in the petitioner’s invocation of the constitutional provision ensuring ‘equal access to opportunities for public office’ is the claim that there is a constitutional right to run for or hold public office and, particularly in his case, to seek the presidency. There is none,” the SC said.

“What is recognized is merely a privilege subject to limitations imposed by law,” it added, explaining that this was the intent of the Constitution’s original framers. The SC said the constitutional mandate was a general guideline, not a “judicially enforceable constitutional right.”

To ensure that the equal access clause is not violated, the key is to apply the limitations “to everybody equally without discrimination,” said the SC. “Equality is not sacrificed as long as the burdens engendered by the limitations are meant to be borne by anyone who is minded to file a certificate of candidacy,” the High Court said.

In setting limitations, the SC said the state should also take into account “practical considerations.” These include the following: 

  • logistical “confusion” that could ensue with a greater number of candidates

  • increased allocation of time and resources to prepare for the elections

  • preparation of ballots

  • other entitlements for candidates, as provided by law, such as watchers in every polling place and in the board of canvassers, as well as the receipt of electoral contributions

“The State has a compelling interest to ensure that its electoral exercises are rational, objective, and orderly,” the SC said.

“To add into the mix candidates with no serious intentions or capabilities to run a viable campaign would actually impair the electoral process. This is not to mention the candidacies which are palpably ridiculous so as to constitute a one-note joke. The poll body would be bogged by irrelevant minutiae covering every step of the electoral process, most probably posed at the instance of these nuisance candidates,” the court explained.

The SC added, “It would be a senseless sacrifice on the part of the State.”

That, of course, presumes the qualified candidates would more likely be worth this privilege. – Rappler.com


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Paterno R. Esmaquel II

Paterno R. Esmaquel II, news editor of Rappler, specializes in covering religion and foreign affairs. He finished MA Journalism in Ateneo and MSc Asian Studies (Religions in Plural Societies) at RSIS, Singapore. For story ideas or feedback, email pat.esmaquel@rappler.com