All of the votes to be cast for former senatorial candidate Rodante D. Marcoleta will now be considered as “stray” votes, according to the Commission on Election (Comelec).
Last Wed., Comelec Commissioner George M. Garcia confirmed the Comelec en banc finally accepted the statement of withdrawal filed by Marcoleta last April 21.
“He went to my office with his [statement] withdrawal and I referred him to the Law Department,” Garcia said.
“His votes will now be considered stray,” he added.
Based on Comelec rules, stray votes will still be counted after the May 9, 2022 polls for record purposes, but it will no longer be included in the final tally of votes.
Marcoleta filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) last Oct. as a senatorial candidate of Cusi-faction of Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).
The representative of the SAGIP party-list is currently a deputy speaker at the House of Representatives.
With his withdrawal before the May 9, 2022 polls, Garcia said Marcoleta is exempted for the one-year ban on appointments for candidates.
But the poll official said Marcoleta will still be required to submit his Statement of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE).