Comelec issues list of 2010 national candidates

By Anna Valmero
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 15:12:00 12/15/2009




Filed Under: Eleksyon 2010, Elections, Politics


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091215-242164/Comelec-issues-list-of-2010-national-candidates


MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) issued the list of qualified candidates for president, vice president and senator for the May 2010 elections, its chairman said Tuesday.

Comelec chairman Jose Melo said the en banc has approved the candidacies for president filed by Senators Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III of the Liberal Party (LP), Richard Gordon of Bagumbayan, Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal who is running as independent and Manny Villar of Nacionalista Party (NP), ex-defense chief Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro who is running under Lakas-Kampi-CMD, former president Joseph Ejercito “Erap” Estrada of Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP), evangelist Eddie Villanueva and Olongapo city councilor John Carlos “JC” Delos Reyes of Ang Kapatiran Party, who is also the nephew of Gordon.

The eight qualified candidates for vice president are Senators Manuel “Mar” Roxas III of LP, Loren Legarda of NP, former Metro Manila Development Authority chairman Bayani Fernando under Bagumbayan, actor Edu Manzano of Lakas-Kampi CMD, Makati city Mayor Jejomar Binay of PMP, former Security and Exchange Commission chairman Perfecto Yasay of Bangon Pilipinas, television news anchor Jay Sonza of Kilusang Bagong Lipunan and Dominador Chipeco of Ang Kapatiran, said Melo.

There are 58 qualified candidates for senatorial posts, including the slate of established political parties, added Melo.

Melo told INQUIRER.net that the list is still “subject to change pending the disqualification cases” filed against several candidates including controversial re-electionist Estrada.

Lawyers Oliver Lozano and Evillo Pormento of Parañaque City filed separate petitions to disqualify Estrada citing the Constitutional provision that presidents are “prohibited from seeking any re-election.”

Melo said the en banc will resolve “immediately” the petitions for disqualification before the names of candidates are printed on special paper ballots for automation in January next year.

Regarding reports that the Supreme Court has ruled to extend the voters’ registration to January 9 following the petition of Kabataan Representative Mong Palatino, Melo said the Comelec has yet to receive the copy of the resolution before making a comment although discussions are ongoing on the matter.

Records from the agency’s legal department showed it has accepted 99 certificates of candidacies for president, 20 for vice president and 158 for senator from November 20 to December 1.


Original Story: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view/20091215-242164/Comelec-issues-list-of-2010-national-candidates