The Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared 117 senatorial aspirants as nuisance candidates for the coming May 2025 midterm elections.
From the total of 183 aspirants, only 66 senatorial aspirants were included in the list of candidates, higher than the 64 who vied in the 2022 national elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the 66 legitimate candidates remain subject to change depending on several factors, including pending disqualification cases, petitions to declare further nuisance candidates, and legal appeals by those contesting their exclusion.
The poll chief disclosed the motu proprio petition against the 117 senatorial aspirants have all been decided by the Comelec First and Second Divisions.
He said Comelec adopts a “totality rule” for declaring nuisance candidates, which considers factors such as whether an aspirant has no political party, lacks a social media presence, and is running as an independent candidate. He likewise added that having no statements, policies, or platforms can add to their discernment of the rule.
However, Garcia said the declared nuisance aspirants could still avail of a legal remedy by filing a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc or filing a restraining order before the Supreme Court.
Comelec earlier declared 47 senatorial aspirants as nuisance bets who may no longer be able to run in the May 2025 midterm polls.
