Sans final conviction, Junjun Binay can run in 2019 polls —Comelec spox

There is no rule that would stop the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from accepting former Makati mayor Junjun Binay's certificate of candidacy if ever he files one for the 2019 elections, the poll body's spokesperson said Friday.

In a television interview, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the poll body can always review a submitted COC and come up with a decision.

"What we do is accept the filing," Jimenez told ANC. "We basically just receive the document, but it undergoes an evaluation process where we can either cancel the COC or not give it due course."

In October 2015, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered the dismissal and perpetual disqualification from the service of Binay, who was then mayor of Makati, in connection with the administrative case he is facing over the allegedly overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Building II.

Binay, the eldest son of former Vice President Jejomar Binay, is said to be eyeing a mayoral run in Makati City.

According to Jimenez, those barred from running are those with "final conviction" from the court.

"The rule is very clear. It has to be a final conviction. And by final conviction means the end of the game for you. It's not a conviction that's been appealed or appealable or undergoing appeal as of the moment," he said. —KBK, GMA News