Erwin Tulfo urges Comelec to require candidates to submit psychological clearance, medical certificate

Senator Erwin Tulfo on Wednesday called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to require candidates to submit a psychological clearance and medical certificate as part of their assessment prior to being allowed to participate in the elections.

In a hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media, Tulfo underscored the importance of determining whether a candidate is sick, disabled, or has a lingering illness because these could be a reason for an official not to finish his or her term, if elected. 

“Unang-una po, sinubukan namin na i-require as far as the filing of the certificates of candidacy, ‘yung drug testing. Unfortunately, natalo kami sa Supreme Court. Second po, as far as the medical status of the candidate, hindi namin nire-require po ‘yun,” Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. answered. 

(First of all, we tried to require drug testing as part of the filing of the certificates of candidacy. Unfortunately, we lost in the Supreme Court. Second, we do not require candidates to identify their medical status.) 

Elnas explained that the Omnibus Election Code specifically does not mandate aspirants to submit a medical certificate when filing their certificates of candidacy. 

Tulfo then said that it would be an "embarrassment" if a person who is psychologically unfit would serve the country, especially at the national level.

“Siguro, Mr. Chair, mahalaga po na tignan din natin na isama na po sa Freedom of Information Bill ng Comelec or itong Freedom of Information para i-require din po ng Commissioner Elections na may kandidato na tatakbo sa mga halalan,” the senator said. 

(Maybe, Mr. Chair, it’s important that we also include this in the Freedom of Information Bill or to require the Comelec to implement this in the next elections.) 

“Hindi naman po sinasabi natin na ika-nga meron tayong discrimination. Pero sinasabi ko lang po, ‘yung capacity niya po, capability to run that office, 'di po ba? May kakayahan ba? Kayo na po mag-assess niyan sa Comelec. May kakayahan ba itong kandidato na ito na mamuno, magpatakbo ng opisina na ito? Paano mo naman aasahan kung may krung-krung pala sa ulo ‘yung kandidato na iyon pag nanalo? Paano papababain mo ‘yun eh nanalo na siya,” he added. 

(I’m not discriminating against anyone. But I want to know their capacity or capability to run an office? Can they do it? The Comelec has to assess that. How can we expect someone who has an intellectual disability to lead? How do you ask them to step down if they have already won?) — RF, GMA Integrated News