Rodriguez files bills to limit candidate substitutions

House Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez has proposed two bills to amend Batas Pambansa 881, aiming to limit candidate substitution and require incumbent officials to resign if they file for another position.

Rodriguez argues that current laws allowing substitutions after a candidate withdraws lead to manipulation of the election process.

The Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez suggests introducing restrictions on substitution rather than banning it outright.

Melvin Matibag, secretary general of PDP-Laban's Cusi-led faction, defends the practice as legal and a political strategy allowed by law.