Comelec warns poll candidates vs foreign assistance

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia stated that candidates receiving any form of assistance from foreign entities may be disqualified and face an election offense.

This warning follows Senator Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito's inquiry into poll candidates allegedly backed by the Chinese government.

Financial aid or any other assistance from foreign nationals or entities, including naturalized Filipino citizens, is considered a ground for disqualification.

An entire political party also faces disqualification if found to be receiving foreign backing.

Comelec is coordinating with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to monitor the inflow of funds from external sources.

Garcia emphasized the urgency, noting that Comelec's jurisdiction to act diminishes after candidates are proclaimed and assume office by June 30.

While candidates may be proclaimed, Comelec can suspend the proclamation or remove them from office if a pending case exists.