Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 3) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is looking into the possibility of placing the third district of Negros Oriental under its control for the special election in December.
About 301,000 registered voters will elect their new representative on Dec. 9 after Arnolfo Teves Jr., the alleged mastermind in the killing of Governor Roel Degamo and designated as a terrorist, was expelled from the House of Representatives in August.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia on Friday highlighted the peaceful conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in the province, which was under Comelec control.
\”Walang problema na nangyari sa Negros Oriental nitong nakaraang halalan,\” Garcia said. \”Hindi lang siguro dahil sa presensya ng madaming law enforcement authorities natin doon kundi dahil din sa pinatupad natin na Comelec control.\”
[Translation: No untoward incident happened in Negros Oriental in the last polls. I don’t think it was only because of the increased presence of law enforcement authorities, but also because we placed it under our control.]
After Teves’ expulsion, House Speaker Martin Romualdez was chosen as the district’s caretaker. On Dec. 9, a special election will be held for the province’s new representative in the Congress.
The poll chief said preparations for the special polls are well underway. He added that by next week, the Comelec en banc will approve the ballots for printing. The printing of more or less 300,000 ballots will only take a day, he added.
Aspirants can file their certificates of candidacy at the office of the election supervisor from Nov. 6 to 8.
Former Governor Pryde Henry Teves earlier told CNN Philippines there is a possibility he will run for the post vacated by his brother.
Like his brother, he was also designated as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.
Meanwhile, Janice Degamo, the widow of the slain governor, is still studying the implications of running since she is the incumbent mayor of Pamplona town.
She said she will finalize her move after the barangay elections.
Mayor Degamo may face issues with the residency requirement, as Pamplona is in the second district of Negros Oriental.
Under the law, aspirants for a congressional seat must be residents of the district for at least a year preceding election day.
\”The constitutional provision cannot be waived even by our Congress, even by the Commission on Elections,\” Garcia explained.
When asked if expelled Rep. Arnie Teves can run for office again, Garcia cited the three persons deprived of liberty who ran and eventually won for barangay councilor in the BSKE.
\”Sa atin hong batas, hanggang walang final judgment of conviction, then pwedeng makatakbo ang isang kandidato,\” he explained.
