The Comelec’s first and second divisions have so far declared 70 senatorial aspirants as "nuisance candidates".

 The second batch of names were posted on the poll body’s Facebook page.

Up for resolution are 47 more motu proprio cases to declare nuisance candidates.

47 senatorial aspirants declared nuisance candidates

The poll body’s law department earlier recommended to declare 117 aspirants for the position of senator as nuisance.

Comelec chairman George Garcia earlier said the aspirants can still avail of legal remedy by filing a motion for reconsideration before the Comelec en banc.

 Declared by the Comelec 1st Division as nuisance candidates are Primo Puso Aquino, Berteni Causing, and Alice Jumalon.

 Declared nuisance bets by the Comelec 2nd Division: Miranda Cadion, Melissa Fortes, Deviendo Biazon, Epifanio Perez, Phil delos Reyes, Luther Meniano, Najar Salih, Vicente Domingo, Roel Lamoste, Fernando Manlangit, Edgardo Duque, Subair Mustapha, Artemio Maquiso, Robert Tagean, Robert Agad, James Reyes Jr., Jaime Balmas, Jose Bunilla, Eulogio Partosa, and Bethsaida Lopez.

Social media platforms vow to support Comelec fight vs disinformation 

 The Omnibus Election Code authorizes the Comelec, on its own or due to a verified petition, to refuse or to cancel the candidacies of aspirants to ensure the integrity and dignity of the polls, or those who are considered "nuisance candidates".

Applicants can address allegations of being nuisance candidates before the commission’s two divisions, with a chance to appeal the decision before the Comelec en banc.

“Kinakailangan ‘yung mga nuisance canddiate natatanggal sa balota upang hindi rin magkakaroon ng problema ang Comelec later o kaya naman nakakagulo, nakakalito sa ating mga kababayan kapag namimili na ng iboboto,” Garcia earlier told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

Comelec to resolve 'nuisance candidate' cases within November

WHAT ARE 'NUISANCE CANDIDATES'?

Aspirants running under a name similar to that of another candidate could be declared nuisance candidates under the Omnibus Election Code if shown that they are running to cause confusion and to subtract votes from the other candidate.

“Minsan, ‘yung maling kandidato yung naipoproklama… Lalo na kung ito ay kaparehas na pangalan,” Garcia said.

(Sometimes the wrong candidate is proclaimed the winner, especially if there is a similarity in names)

He said that some aspirants have no real intention to run for office and file their certificates of candidacy as a joke.

Garcia said that aside from the COC and supporting documents filed by aspiring candidates, the Comelec will also check their backgrounds, their social media accounts as well as media interviews to check whether they are serious about running for public office.

Other aspirants may have disputes with the political party they filed to be candidates under, which, Garcia said, the commission could also look into.