By Ferdinand Patinio/PNA
MANILA — Though their names have been included on the partial list of senatorial bets, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III and former Senator Sergio Osmeña III are not yet sure if they would be able to participate in the May 2019 polls, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Monday.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez explained that the Comelec has yet to decide on the disqualification cases filed against Pimentel and Osmeña.
“These stories are not yet over. We are still awaiting their resolutions. We asked the Clerk of Commission and they said the cases of Senator Koko and former senator Serge are not yet resolved,” Jimenez said.
“It is still pending resolution. So, at this point, they are still with the Division (level),” he added.
Jimenez explained that the two veteran lawmakers are still on the partial list of 77 senatorial candidates “because their cases are different.”
“They are on the (partial) list because they are not nuisance candidates. And on the face of their Certificates of Candidacy, they are not disqualified,” he said.
He said 13 other individuals have pending petitions to declare them nuisance candidates but are still included on the partial list.
Jimenez said the names of Pimentel and Osmeña will remain in the ballots if no decision is made before the printing of the ballots.
“If we are already printing, their names will remain. If they are somehow disqualified, then notices will go out,” he said.
Jimenez also said if Pimentel and Osmeña, if nominated by political parties, would be entitled to substitutes.
“If they are disqualified prior to election day and their names are on the ballot, substitution may be something they may want to consider,” he said.
Two disqualification cases were filed against Pimentel, claiming the former Senate president is no longer qualified to run for another term as he already served for two terms from 2007 to 2019.
On the other hand, Osmeña is facing perpetual disqualification case for reportedly not filing his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) during the 2010 and 2016 elections.
