The Commission on Election (Comelec) received 68 disqualification cases as of Monday, the deadline for filing such charges.
The list includes high profile senatorial aspirants like former Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II, who filed a case against Lemicio Jesus Roxas of the Katipunan ng Demokratikong Pilipino (KDP).
However, even incumbent senators were not immune against disqualification cases.
Sen. Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III is now facing a disqualification case from Ferdinand Topacio for seeking reelection, while Senator Loren Legarda’s candidacy as Representative of the lone district of Antique is being challenged by former Antique governor Exequiel Javier and by a Robin Rubinor.
In the gubernatorial level, Edgar Gica and Norma Pilapil Pozon each filed a disqualification case against Cebu Third District Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia.
Question on eligibility of candidates for the 2019 polls also erupted in the mayoralty race.
These include the disqualification case of former Manila vice mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domogoso versus Onofre Estrada Abad; incumbent Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro against Marjoy Villoso and Lorderito Nebres; and Bacoor City Mayor Lani Mercado-Revilla versus Tranquilino Estrada and Emelita Machado Villar.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan filed the most number of disqualification cases with five.
Malapitan wants Comelec to remove Rufino Bayon-on, Maximo Tonelino, Edgardo Sevilla, Ronnie Malunes, and Emil Trinidad from the 2019 ballot.
Comelec released the list after it ended the acceptance of Certificate of Candidacy and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) on Oct. 17, 2018.
Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said they will not longer accept late submission of CONAs.
Guanzon said they opted to strictly enforce the deadline to be fair with other candidates who complied with their regulations.
“We cannot allow that anymore. Just to be fair to everyone, the rule will apply to all parties,” Guanzon said.
She said those who will be unable to meet the deadline will considered as independent candidates.
Comelec made the reiteration after some candidates in the provinces attempted to submit their CONA beyond the deadline.
The CONA is a document that serves as proof that a candidate is endorses by a political party.