MANILA — Candidates in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections who are included in the ‘narco-list’ released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) would not be disqualified from the polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.
“Being on the drug list will not disqualify a person from running,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in an interview.
The poll body official explained that a candidate must be convicted with finality first before he/she can be disqualified from participating in the elections.
“Disqualification only comes from a final judgment against the person,” he added.
Jimenez, however, said the narco list may still be useful for voters as a reference on those who are seeking public office.
“The list is more of a tool for voters to be educated. If you know that a certain candidate has a problem, will you vote for him/her?” he added.
On Monday, PDEA released the names of some 200 barangay officials have been linked to illegal drug trade in the country. (PNA)
