AMID the material misrepresentation committed by Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday warned prospective candidates in the May 2025 national and local polls against making untruthful statements in their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs).
In an interview, Comelec chief George Garcia said they are issuing an early reminder to prospective bets to be truthful in their COCs.
“I’m telling everyone who will run this coming elections, do not lie in your COCs,” said Garcia, adding lying in their COCs can lead to their disqualification.
“Material misrepresentation can lead to denial of due course or cancellation of the COC,” said Garcia.
He reiterated that material misrepresentation can also lead to an election offense case.
“If you can evade administrative liabilities, you cannot escape criminal accountability,” said Garcia.
The warning was issued as the Comelec is set to begin assessing the evidence that may be used against Guo for allegedly making material misrepresentation in her COC filed for the May 2022 polls when she ran for and won as mayor.
Garcia said they expect to detect more possible material misrepresentation with the Comelec set to post the COCs of candidates online.
“When they file their COCs, there should be a similar commitment and willingness to have their COCs being made public,” said the poll chief.
“It is not something that they should be afraid of. It is for transparency,” added Garcia.
The period for filing COCs for the May 2025 polls will run from October 1 to 8, 2024.
