Ballot reprinting postponed as SC issues new stay orders
Metro Manila, Philippines - Ballot reprinting will be deferred in light of new Supreme Court stay orders that would prompt the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to include two more candidates on the list.
In separate radio interviews, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said the poll body may resume printing on Saturday, Jan. 25.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the high court prohibited the poll body from declaring Francis Leo Marcos, a senatorial aspirant, as a nuisance candidate, and canceling the certificate of candidacy of Noel Rosal who is running for Albay governor.
The court also ordered Comelec to submit its comment within five days.
Garcia said the commission is already two weeks behind schedule.
He said it is aiming to finish printing 71 million ballots on April 14. Printing began on Jan. 6 but was temporarily stopped on Jan. 14 because of the stay orders.
“Walang effect sa araw ng halalan. Basta dapat dalawang linggo bago mag-eleksyon, na-distribute na ng Comelec ang election paraphernalia sa buong Pilipinas,” said Garcia on the impact of delays on the May 12 elections.
[Translation: No effect on the elections. So long as election paraphernalia is distributed nationwide two weeks before election.]
The Comelec amended its list of candidates for both the national and local races before the stay orders.
In a resolution released on Tuesday, the poll body included Subair Mustapha, who was declared as a nuisance candidate, on the list of senatorial bets.
Mustapha was assigned number 47, affecting a number of candidates including former lawmakers and aspirants such as Francis Pangilinan and Manny Pacquiao.
READ: SC TRO to raise costs for some senatorial aspirants
The newly-issued list also excluded former Ilocos Sur Governor Chavit Singson who withdrew from the Senate race due to health concerns.
Seven local officials were also ordered to be on the ballot, including former lawmaker Edgar Erice who is running for Caloocan 2nd district representative.
