Nuisance candidates teemed on the 1st day of COC filing

By Paula Bianca Arriola and Carla Jean Casibang

Some senatorial aspirants complemented the “circus” atmosphere on the first day of filing of certificate of candidacies (COC) for the 2013 midterm polls at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) head office in Intramuros, Manila.

Among the early birds was Daniel Magtira, a resident of Tondo, Manila and an advocate of justice and “peace over war” in the Philippines.

Clad in suit, bow tie, and shades, Magtira was already at the Palacio de Gobernador in Intramuros, an hour before COMELEC opened its door for the first day of filing of COCs.

Magtira, 52, claimed that he was the husband of the presidential sister and the “Queen of All Media,” Kris Aquino.

Salam Luisong Taguian, another aspiring senatorial candidate, asserted his rights as the descendant of Rajah Sulayman.

Luisong claims that he is the legitimate “owner” of the Philippines.

However, he told reporters that he has no intention of repossessing the country but intends to give it to the landless

He showed a bulk of land titles and documents to the media proving that he is the rightful owner of the 7,107 islands of the Philippine Archipelago.

Meanwhile, a retired marine from the Bicol region wearing Barong Tagalog, boots, and a belt bag came marching to announce his senatorial bid.

Merlito Ocampo Lagata condemned former COMELEC chairpersons and commissioners for removing his name on lists of senatorial and presidential candidates since 1992.

“Lahat ng commissioner ng commission of elections, nagkasala ‘yan sa saligang batas. Inilagay nila ang batas sa kanilang mga kamay!” Lagata said.

An independent senatorial candidate for the 2013 poll, Lagata told reporters he was a regular at COMELEC during elections; he filed his bid for senator in 2001 and 2007, while for president in 1992, 1998, and 2004 but was disqualified in all positions.

 “Hindi pa ba iyan sapat? Buhay na bayani ako! Daig ko pa si Jose Rizal at Bonifacio, lahat mga tigok na, ako buhay pa, dito kayo sa akin lumapit!” Lagata added.

COMELEC defines nuisance candidates as those “who just want to nitpick about the system of the government, who want to create a confusion among voters, and those who does not have a serious intention to become an elective official based on their actions and circumstances.”

According to COMELEC spokesperson James Jimenez, no one will be declined on the filing of COCs, the screening will follow after.

“We will accept all of those who will file their COCs, we will not decline anyone. After the filing, we will screen all of those who filed. There will be a question now of which ones who will give due course to. We will put the nuisance candidates under close surveillance.” Spokesperson Jimenez said.

However, in order to consider someone as a nuisance candidate, a co-candidate or the COMELEC itself must appeal and a committee will hold a hearing to give the supposed nuisance candidate a chance to defend his/her candidacy.