6 names each in Comelec certified lists for president, VP

Six names each will likely make it in the ballot for the May polls which the Commission on Elections will start printing next week.

The following names will be included for president:

• Vice President Jejomar Binay
• Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago
• Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte
• Sen. Grace Poe
• former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas
• party-list Rep. Roy Señeres.

The list has been narrowed down after the Supreme Court junked the appeal filed by independent candidate Dante Valencia, who was initially included in the eight names released for verification.

Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino's Romel "Mel" Mendoza also withdrew his candidacy.

Poe stays on the list with a standing temporary restraining order on two Comelec en banc rulings that upheld the cancellation of her candidacy.

Oral arguments are ongoing for her case, with the fourth one scheduled next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, four petitions against Duterte's candidacy were dismissed by the Comelec First Division on Thursday.

Petitioners have five days upon receipt of the decision to file their motion for reconsideration.

Meanwhile, the list for vice president remains to include:

• Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano
• Sen. Francis Escudero
• Sen. Gregorio Honasan
• Sen. Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
• Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Robredo
• Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.

Comelec officials have said they are still refining the list for senators, which currently includes about 50 candidates.

Meanwhile, there are 115 groups that made it into the party-list rundown.

Printing of ballots will start on Feb. 8. — RSJ, GMA News