13/01/2025
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JUST IN: The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc junks the resolutions of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) cancelling the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) of Juan Olila Ollesca in the 2022 presidential elections, on the basis of not having enough money to launch a nationwide campaign.
In a ruling written by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, the SC reiterated that not having enough money to fund a nationwide campaign does not automatically mean a candidate should be considered a nuisance candidate.
It emphasized that in a democracy, every citizen has a right to run for public office. However, this right must be balanced with COMELECβs practical challenges in ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The court underscored that the ability to fund a nationwide campaign, being a political party member, having nationwide recognition, and the likelihood of success do not alone determine whether a candidate has a genuine intention to run for public office.
It further stressed that requiring candidates to have the financial means to run a campaign would unfairly add a property requirement that the Constitution prohibits, adding that regardless of wealth, everyone has the right to run for office. A candidate cannot be disqualified simply because they are poor.
