Deputy Speaker and re-elected Representative of Cagayan de Oro’s Second District Rufus Rodriguez said in a statement on June 20 that he would refile two electoral reform bills in the 19th Congress.

The bills would include one that seeks to ban the substitution of any candidate in any local or national election, and another that aims to restore an old provision that declares an incumbent elective official automatically resigned upon the filing of a certificate of candidacy (COC) for another position.

Rodriguez filed Bills 10380 and 10381 in October 2021, but the 18th Congress was unable to pass the bills.

“These twin measures aim to further purify our electoral process. They are intended to put an end to practices by politicians and political parties that put in doubt the integrity of our elections,” Rodriguez said.

Bill No. 10380 proposes that a political party be prohibited from substituting any candidate unless the latter dies or is disqualified.

The Omnibus Election Code allows the substitution of a candidate in case of death, disqualification or withdrawal of another aspirant, Rodriguez cited.

He said that “substitution because of withdrawal, or what others call voluntary substitution, may pose serious questions and may lead to the manipulation and mockery of the election process.”

“Withdrawals could lead the voting public to believe that the candidate who withdrew, or the political party doing the substitution or the replacement candidate, is not really serious about the candidacy,” Rodriguez added.

Preventing voluntary substitution would also give the Commission on Elections needed time to screen COC filers, finalize the list of candidates, and print official ballots and related paraphernalia.

Rodgriguez’s statement cited that Bill No. 10381, the other proposed bills, seeks to level the playing field among candidates.

Republic Act No. 9006, or The Fair Elections Act of 2001, removed the provision in the Election Code that deemed an incumbent to be automatically resigned upon the filing of a COC for another position.

“It is high time to reinstate the repealed provision. This would force aspirants to take running for higher office seriously and to stop manipulating and mocking the electoral process. It would also make more people believe in the integrity of our elections,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez noted that the old rule, if restored, would apply to all incumbent elective officials, whether they are running for higher or lower office.

“It would prevent incumbents from using their office, personnel, public funds and property, and influence to promote their candidacy…” he added.

Rodriguez expressed hope that the measures shall be approved by the incoming congress on its first or second year.

“I also hope that the incoming national leadership would support the bills for the sake of future elections,” he said.

Photo credit: Facebook/RufusBRodgriguez