Comelec issues rulings on withdrawal of candidates for the May 2013 elections

By Rutchie C. Aguhob

Wednesday 19th of September 2012

OZAMIZ CITY, Misamis Occidental, Sept. 19 (PIA) -- Any person who has filed a Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 13, 2012 elections, may file personally a Statement of Withdrawal (SOW) under oath, with the office where the COC was filed, at any time before election day.

This was clarified by Atty. Renato A. Magbutay, Regional Elections Director (RED) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), region 10, who said the SOW will be done in five legible copies.

Magbutay, however, said “no SOW shall be accepted if filed by a person other than the candidate himself or if filed by mail, electronic mail, telegram or facsimile.”

He said these rulings are provided in Comelec Resolution No. 9518 entitled “Guidelines on the Filing of Certificates of Candidacy and Nomination and Acceptance of Official Candidates of Registered Political Parties or Coalition of Political Parties in Connection with the May 13, 2013 Automated Synchronized National and Local Regional Elections.”

Pursuant to such resolution, the RED, Provincial Election Supervisor, or the Election Officer concerned shall, upon receipt of the SOW, will immediately notify the Comelec Law Department by fastest means of communication, stating the following: Full name of the withdrawing candidate, the elective office concerned, the nominating political party or coalition of political parties, if any, and the full name of the substitute, if any.

On the same day, the withdrawing candidate, shall immediately forward to the Comelec, through the Law Department, four copies of the SOW, retaining one copy thereof for his/her file.

In turn, the Comelec Law Department shall distribute the copies to the offices/ departments concerned.

The filing of a withdrawal of a COC shall not affect whatever civil, criminal or administrative liabilities a candidate may have incurred.

Meanwhile, Magbutay said a person who has withdrawn his COC for a position shall not be eligible as a substitute candidate for any other position. (RCA/PIA10-Misamis Occidental)