DESPITE his arrest, former president Rodrigo Duterte remains a candidate in the mayoralty race in Davao City in the forthcoming May 12 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said yesterday.
In an interview, Comelec chairman George Garcia said there is no change in the status of Duterte as an official candidate for mayor.
“As far as the Comelec is concerned, he is still a candidate, his name remains in the ballot, and can be voted upon by the voters,” said Garcia.
“Getting arrested is not a reason to remove a candidate’s name, or for him or her to be disqualified, or for one to lose his or her civil and political rights,” he added.
Garcia said Duterte will only be disqualified from running in any elective post if he gets a final court conviction.
“The law states that a final judgment of conviction is needed (for one to be disqualified),” he said.
Asked if it is possible for a disqualification case to be filed against Duterte in relation to his pending case in the International Criminal Court (ICC), the poll chief answered in the affirmative.
“The Comelec will have to decide the case by applying on existing jurisprudence and applicable laws,” said Garcia.
Duterte was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday morning upon his arrival from Hong Kong based on a warrant issued by the ICC.
Duterte is facing charges of committing crimes against humanity for murder in relation to his administration’s bloody war on illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, Garcia assured the public that the May 12 elections will not be attended by cheating.
He made the statement following a statement of Vice President Sara Duterte that the public should be cautious about massive cheating happening during the May polls supposedly to ensure the victory of senatorial candidates of the Marcos administration.
“We can guarantee to everyone that there will be no cheating and irregularities in the coming elections as feared by some individuals,” Garcia said, noting that the poll body is set to introduce a new automated election system (AES).
“This (cheating) cannot happen as we are set to use a new voting technology that is open and transparent,” he said, adding that the true winners in the coming elections will be proclaimed.
“We will proclaim those that deserve to be proclaimed this elections,” he said.
