MANILA - A total of 78 disqualification cases have been filed as of Wednesday afternoon at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against those seeking to be candidates in the 2019 elections.

Among notable cases were those filed against Senator Aquilino Pimentel III by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio and one filed by former senator Mar Roxas against a certain Lemicio Jesus Roxas.

A certain Robin Rubinor and Exequiel Javier also filed separate cases against Senator Loren Legarda, who is running for a House seat in Antique.

The week-long filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) ended on Oct. 17 with 152 senatorial hopefuls and 185 party-list bets seeking approval.

Substitution of candidates due to withdrawal is allowed until Nov. 29. After which, substitution will only be allowed in the event a candidate dies or he or she will be replaced by someone who shares his or her last name.

Comelec will review the filed COCs to identify until Nov. 29 "nuisance candidates," or those who are out to make a mockery of the election process.