Mountain Province– A substitute for independent candidate Ricky Samidan who passed away last April 11, 2019 is not possible – Comelec.
Samidan, 45, was an incumbent Sangguniang Bayan member of the Municipal Government of Bauko who filed his candidacy for vice-mayor post as an independent candidate for the 2019 midterm elections. His father, Rodolfo Samidan, was sworn into office last April 24, 2019 to serve the former’s unexpired term which will end on June 30, 2019.
While Rodolfo Samidan was able to assume office, the possibility that he shall substitute the late Councilor Samidan should he still be voted into office is not possible.
It is stated in Section 33 entitled Substitution of Candidates in Case of Death, Disqualification or Withdrawal of Another of COMELEC Resolution No. 10430 that “An official candidate of a duly registered political party or coalition who dies, withdraws or is disqualified for any cause after the last day for the filing of COCs may be substituted by a candidate belonging to, and nominated by, the same political party or coalition”.
Further, it states that “No substitute shall be allowed for any independent candidate.”
The official COMELEC website reveals that the name of Ricky Samidan was included in the Official Ballot and in the Certified List of Candidates for the May 2019 Elections as an independent (IND).
With the premises mentioned above, Comelec Mtn. Province Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Bulintao explained that “As a consequence, all votes cast in favor of Samidan in the election shall be considered stray.”
Other candidates for the vice-mayoralty post in Bauko are Bartolome Badecao (IND) and Salvador Liked (IND). **Imelda U Sawi, MP-PIO
