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Ballot printing to resume
By Nidz Godino
“Earliest is Friday, latest is Saturday,” Commission on Elections (Comelec). Chairman George Garcia said Supreme Court is done issuing temporary restraining orders (TROs) covering disqualified candidates, and printing of ballots for midterm polls can now proceed.
Comelec sources told media poll body is no longer expecting TROs from SC that could delay ballot printing.
Eleven candidates disqualified by Comelec secured TROs from SC.
They are senatorial candidates Subair Guinthum Mustapha and Francis Leo Marcos; dismissed Albay governor Noel Rosal, seeking reelection; former congressman Edgar Erice; Charles Savellano, vying for congressional seat of Ilocos Sur’s first district; Chito Bulatao Balintay, running for Zambales governor; Florendo de Ramos Ritualo Jr., vying for seat in San Juan City council; Marie Grace David, running for vice mayor in Limay, Bataan; Mary Dominique Oñate, running for mayor of Palompon, Leyte; Aldrin Sta. Ana., running for mayor of Bocaue, Bulacan and dismissed Mandaue City mayor Jonas Cortes, who is seeking reelection.
After first batch of TROs was issued, Comelec suspended printing of official ballots, saying about six million ballots have to be destroyed through shredding.
High court has received about 25 petitions for TROs concerning May polls, Supreme Court spokesperson Camille Sue Mae Ting said.
Ballot printing has been delayed for three weeks, Garcia noted.
Comelec, he said, will take action on case-to-case basis if Supreme Court issues another TRO after Saturday.
Meanwhile, having another Marcos surname on official ballot might confuse voters, Comelec said.
Name of Francis Leo Marcos will be printed before Sen. Imee Marcos’ name, Garcia noted.
Supreme Court earlier issued TRO to include Francis Leo Marcos among list of senatorial candidates on the ballot.
Marcos was declared nuisance candidate by Comelec.
Printing of 73 million ballots for midterm elections had to be deferred again following high court’s decision.
Citing Omnibus Election Code, Garcia said purpose of nuisance candidates is to confuse electorate.
While it is up to Sen. Marcos’ legal team to decide what their next step will be, Garcia said Comelec must comply with high court’s decision.
“Supreme Court’s ruling is temporary remedy, not decision on merits of the case that affirms Comelec’s decision was wrong,” Garcia pointed out.
Candidates granted TRO on their disqualification may still be disqualified as it is not final ruling, he noted.
If high court eventually affirms Comelec ruling, Garcia said votes obtained by disqualified candidates would not be counted.
Retirement of Comelec Commissioners Marlon Casquejo and Socorro Inting in February will not adversely affect election preparations, Garcia said.
He called for immediate appointment of two new commissioners so that poll body could “normally” prepare for this year’s elections.
Despite election appointment ban, Garcia noted that President Marcos has continuing authority and does not need to secure exemption.
Meanwhile, candidates using text blast devices during their campaign will face criminal charges, according to Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
Text blasters are illegal and will be confiscated, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said.
Earlier, Malaysian selling fake cell towers was arrested in Parañaque.
Suspect reportedly sold Octopus 5G blaster for P600,000, capable of mass SMS broadcasting without database, SIM card or WiFi, according to police Anti-Cybercrime Group director Brig. Gen. Bernard Yang.
ISKUP! 