Perlas, Jimenez defend presidential bids

At least two disqualified presidential hopefuls faced the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday to defend their rejected candidacies, with one of them claiming that he enjoys the support of dozens of countries. Nicanor Perlas, a self-styled environmentalist, told Comelec officials in a hearing that he has the backing of the Green Party of France, an international pro-environment group. “The statement of the Green Party of France supporting my candidacy has been submitted to the Comelec," he said, adding that the support from 50 countries proves his “national and global presence." Another disqualified presidential hopeful, businessman Mark Jimenez, was braver in defending his candidacy. “The only reason why I’m not qualified is because you are all afraid of me, everybody knows that," said Jimenez, a former congressman representing Manila. Perlas and Jimenez were both excluded from the initial list of approved presidential candidates for the 2010 elections. The Comelec had earlier said that those excluded from the list were either deemed as nuisance candidates or incapable of running in the 2010 elections. Comelec Resolution No. 8678 defines a nuisance candidate as someone who “put(s) the election process in mockery or disrepute," “cause(s) confusion among the voters by the similarity of names of registered candidates," or one who “has no bona fide intention to run for the office." Earlier, the Comelec said that it might possibly add two more presidential hopefuls to the eight bets whose candidacies have already been approved. Among the presidential candidates deemed qualified by the Comelec are Senator Benigno “Noynoy" Aquino III (Liberal Party), John Carlos “JC" Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Joseph M. Ejercito Estrada (Puwersa ng Masang Pilipino – UNO), Senator Richard J. Gordon (Bagumbayan), Senator Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby" A.S. Madrigal (independent), Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr.(Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Eddie C. Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas), and Senator Manuel B. Villar Jr. (Nacionalista Party). The Comelec, however, said it still needs time to process the oppositions filed against the exclusion of some of the hopefuls from the list of approved candidates. “All the cases will be deemed submitted for resolution," Commissioner Rene Sarmiento told reporters in an interview, adding that they have until January 25 to settle everything. The poll body said it would start the printing of ballots on January 25. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMANews.TV