As the filing of the certificate of candidacy nears, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reiterated the new rules on the substitution of candidates.
COMELEC Chairperson George Garcia reminded on Tuesday, September 24, that the poll body will no longer allow the substitution of candidates after October 8, the last day for the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the 2025 elections.
Garcia stressed that, after October 8, COMELEC will only accept substitutions if the original candidate passed away or found ineligible to hold public office.
He also remarked that COMELEC will not allow the replacement of a candidate even if the person fell ill prior the elections.
"Wala tayong tatanggapin na withdrawal with substitution. Pwede silang mag-withdraw, walang problema, pero hindi na sila pwedeng mag-withdraw at magpapalit sila sa kahit sino," Garcia said during DZRH's Damdaming Bayan.
"Tama na yung misrepresentation. Kailangan, kung desidido ka na mag-file ng candidacy, bakit kailangan iba na muna tapos magpapalitan," he added.
The COMELEC chief also pointed that the substitute must come from the same political party and share the same family name with the deceased or disqualified candidate.
"Na-imprenta na namin ang balota kapag nangyari iyon," Garcia mentioned
"Hindi na namin mapapalitan yung pangalan na nandoon sa balota kaya dapat same family name at kapartido," he further explained.
Garcia admitted that these restrictions mean that independent candidates cannot have any substitute.
