Bet substitution by COC withdrawal banned

The Commission on Elections has unanimously decided not to allow candidate substitution based on withdrawal after the weeklong filing of certificate of candidacy (COC), Comelec officials said yesterday.

- MAYEN JAYMALIN

"Candidates, lay your cards on the table. Be up front about your candidacy and there will be no more changes," Comelec Chairman George Garcia said. "If you're really decided, then lay it out at once. File your candidacy." At the Bagong Pilipinas public briefing yesterday, Comelec spokesman Rex Laudiangco said the commission has set from Oct.

1 to 8 the filing of COC for those running in the 2025 midterm elections.

At the same time, groups participating in the party-list elections may also file a Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance.

Laudiangco said the Comelec would allow filing of withdrawal and substitution only from Oct. 1 to 8. "If a candidate with a political party will withdraw from Oct. 9 onwards, it will no longer be allowed to substitute other candidate," he said.

Garcia said the commission will only allow substitution of candidate on grounds of death or disqualification.