The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is anticipating an increase in the number of names on the ballot for the 2025 midterm elections following a Supreme Court ruling.
The court decided that the poll body cannot declare a candidate a nuisance solely based on their lack of public recognition or financial capacity to campaign.
Despite this, Comelec spokesperson Atty. John Rex Laudiangco stated that they will still filter the candidates by evaluating their motivations for running and whether they understand the purpose of their candidacy.
This includes reviewing candidates who have been declared nuisance candidates in previous elections.
One such candidate, Betsaida Lopez, has filed her senatorial candidacy again after being labeled a nuisance candidate in previous elections.
Lopez has threatened to curse all those involved if she is not allowed to run in 2025.
When asked if Comelec will assess the mental capacity of candidates to determine if they qualify as nuisance candidates, Laudiangco suggested that this should be consulted with experts.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia acknowledged that the commission has faced numerous complaints in the Supreme Court from candidates who were labeled nuisance.
He emphasized that, following the court’s ruling, candidates tagged as nuisance will be summoned and given the opportunity to explain why they should not be disqualified.