The Philippine Online Chronicles

After a thorough screening process, the Commission on Elections released Tuesday the initial list of candidates for the May 2010 elections – it includes 8 presidential, 8 VP and 58 senatorial candidates.

Of the 99 presidential aspirants who have submitted their certificates of candidacy to the poll body, only eight made it to the cut. They are:

• Aquino, Benigno Simeon “Noynoy" III (Liberal Party)

• Delos Reyes, John Carlos “JC" (Ang Kapatiran)

• Ejercito Estrada, Joseph M. (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO)

• Gordon, Richard J. (Bagumbayan)

• Madrigal, Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby" AS. (Independent)

• Teodoro, Gilberto Jr. C. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)

• Villanueva, Eddie C. (Bangon Pilipinas)

• Villar, Manuel Jr. B. (Nacionalista Party)

Lawyers Oliver Lozano and Ely Pamatong and environmentalist/ businessman Nicanor “Nicky” Perlas who filed their COCs for president as independent candidates were excluded from the list.

Likewise, only eight of the 20 vice-presidential candidates were approved by the Comelec. They are:

• Binay, Jejomar C. (PDP-Laban)

• Chipeco, Dominador “Jun" Jr. F. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Fernando, Bayani F. (Bagumbayan)

• Legarda, Loren B. (National People’s Coalition)

• Manzano, Edu B. (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)

• Roxas, Manuel “Mar" II A. (Liberal Party)

• Sonza, Jose “Jay" Y. (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan)

• Yasay, Perfecto Jr. R. (Bangon Pilipinas)

Meanwhile, 58 among 158 senatorial bets have been short-listed by the Comelec. These are:

• Acosta, Jr. Nereus O. (LP)

• Albani, Shariff Ibrahim H. (KBL)

• Alonto, Zafrullah M. (Bangon Pilipinas)

• Baraquel, Ana. Theresa H. (LP)

• Bautista, J.V. Larion (PMP)

• Bautista, Martin D. (LP)

• Bello, Silvestre III H. (Lakas)

• Biazon, Rozanno Rufino B. (LP)

• Revilla, Ramon “Bong" B. (Lakas)

• Caunan, Henry B. (PDP-Laban)

• Cayetano, Pilar Juliana US. (NP)

• David, Rizalito Y. (Ang Kapatiran)

• De Venecia, Jose III P. (PMP)

• Defensor-Santiago, Miriam P.(People’s Reform Party)

• Drilon, Franklin M. (LP)

• Enrile, Juan Ponce (PMP)

• Estrada, Jinggoy E. (PMP)

• Guico, Ramon, Jr. N. (Lakas)

• Guingona, Teofisto III D. (LP)

• Imbong, Jo Aurea M. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Inocencio, Ma. Katherine Luningning R. (Bangon Pilipinas)

• Lacson, Alexander L. (LP)

• Lambino, Raul L. (Lakas)

• Langit, Rey M. (Lakas)

• Lao, Yasmin B. (LP)

• Lapid, Manuel M. (Lakas)

• Lood, Alma A. (KBL)

• Lozada, Jose Apolinario Jr. L (PMP)

• Maambong, Regalado E. (KBL)

• Marcos, Ferdinand Jr. R. (NP)

• Maza, Liza L. (Independent)

• Millora, Ma. Judea G. (KBL)

• Mitra, Ramon B. (NP)

• Ocampo, Ramoncito P. (Bangong Pilipinas)

• Ocampo, Saturnino C. (Bayan Muna)

• Ople, Susan V. (NP)

• Osmeña, Sergio III D. (Independent)

• Palparan, Jovito Jr. S. (Independent)

• Papin, Imelda A. (KBL)

• Paredes, Zosimo Jesus II M. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Pimentel, Gwendolyn D. (PDP-Laban)

• Plaza, Rodolfo Rodrigo G. (NPC)

• Princesa, Reynaldo R. (Bangon Pilipinas)

• Querubin, Ariel O. (NP)

• Recto, Ralph G. (LP)

• Remulla, Gilbert Cesar C. (NP)

• Riñoza-Plazo, Maria Gracia DV. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Roco, Sonia M. (LP)

• Sison, Adrian O. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Sotto, Vicente III C. (NPC)

• Tamano, Adel A. (NP)

• Tamayo, Reginald B. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Tarrazona, Hector M. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Tatad, Francisco S. (Grand Alliance for Democracy)

• Tinsay, Alexander B. (Bangon Pilipinas))

• Valdehuesa, Manuel Jr. E. (Ang Kapatiran)

• Villanueva, Hector L. (KBL)

• Virgines, Israel N. (Bangon Pilipinas)

'Not nuisance candidates'

Comelec chair Jose Melo said that they followed certain guidelines in the selection of candidates to be included in the tentative list. Candidates who have been given the poll body's nod are those with political parties capable of waging a nationwide campaign and are not considered to be 'nuisance candidates.'

Per Comelec Resolution No. 8678, a nuisance candidate is one who “puts the election process in mockery or disrepute,” or one who “has no bonafide intention to run for office.”

Melo added however, that the disqualification of Perlas and gay-rights activist Danton Remoto [who filed a coc as an independent senatorial candidate] did not mean they were considered nuisance candidates.

He explained that the Comelec did not approve their COCs because it appeared that they lack financial resources and machinery to launch a nationwide campaign.

Melo said that the list is still tentative and that names can still be taken off from the list once the Comelec rules the resolution pending the disqualification cases against them.

Disqualified candidates are allowed five days [until Monday] to appeal their case to the Comelec and consequently to the Supreme Court.

The Comelec has yet to release the names of approved party-list representatives.

'Perlas surprised at disqualification'

Perlas for his part said he was “surprised” at the Comelec decision, saying that he had been actively participating in presidential debates and forums, some of which were even organized by the Comelec.

He justified his capability to run a nationwide campaign, saying that he had already mobilized over 100,000 volunteers and 700 campaign coordinators in the provinces and municipalities.

Perlas said he will submit an appeal before the Comelec and prove that the presidential elections is "not limited to the rich and powerful."

List of candidates from GMAnews.tv, sourced from Comelec presscon (December 15, 2009)