Comelec vows strict COC screening, prioritizes nuisance cases

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has vowed to strictly screen all certificates of candidacy (COCs) submitted by aspirants for national positions ahead of the May 2025 elections.

Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco noted that recent Supreme Court decisions have relaxed criteria for removing nuisance candidates, eliminating financial capacity and popularity as grounds for disqualification.

Laudiangco emphasized that Comelec will still assess whether candidates understand the roles they are running for and whether their actions aim to sow chaos or steal votes from legitimate candidates.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia has committed to prioritizing cases of nuisance candidates before ballot printing, ensuring due process is followed.

The poll body relies on petitions for disqualification filed against candidates and cannot initiate such cases independently.

Laudiangco also said the Comelec is open to an early implementation of the election gun ban based on recommendations from the Philippine National Police.