Substitutes allowed until Dec. 10 and other rules on taking a candidate's place

A substitute for one that withdraws his or her candidacy or is disqualified will have until December 10, 2015 to file a certificate of candidacy, according to the Commission on Elections rules on candidacies and nominations for the 2016 elections.

Under Section 19 of the Commission on Elections' Resolution No. 9984, which was promulgated on August 18, 2015, the substitute should belong to and should be nominated by the substituted candidate's political party or coalition.

The Comelec said there would be no substitution for any independent candidate.

It added that there would be no substitution due to withdrawal after December 10, 2015.

In case of a candidate's death or disqualification by final judgment, the Comelec said the substitute may file a COC up to mid-day of Election Day, provided that the substitute and the substituted have the same surnames.

"If the death or disqualification should occur between the day before the election and mid-day of Election Day, the substitute candidate may file a COC with any Board of Election Inspectors, Election Officers, Provincial Election Supervisor or Regional Election Director, as the case may be, in the political subdivision where such person is a candidate," the resolution read.

"[In] the case of a candidate for President, Vice-President or Senator, with the Law Department; Provided that, the substitute and the substituted candidate have the same surnames," it added. —NB/ELR, GMA News