SC: Same nicknames not enough ground to declare nuisance candidate

The Supreme Court (SC) has ruled that having a nickname similar to other candidates in previous elections is not sufficient grounds to declare an individual a nuisance candidate.

In an 11-page decision, the High Court en banc granted the petition of First District of Ilocos Sur candidate Charles "DB" Savellano.

“The Court agrees with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that the deliberate use of a nickname to confuse the electorate—whether the similarity is with registered candidates or past candidates—is indicative of a lack of bona fide intention to run for public office,” the ruling said.

“However, similarity of nicknames alone is not sufficient evidence of such intent,” it added.

The SC annulled and set aside the Comelec ruling that had declared Savellano a nuisance candidate and cancelled his certificate of candidacy (COC).

“Petitioner himself indicated in his COC that his name should appear on the ballot as 'Charles DB Sevellano.' This is markedly different from the name of the previous candidate,” the Court noted.

“If the true intent were to confuse voters regarding the petitioner’s identity, then including his full name rather than emphasizing the nickname contradicts that intention, which undermines Comelec’s legal conclusion,” it added.

Savellano ran for representative in the 2025 elections. His opponent, Ronald Singson, asked the Comelec to declare him a nuisance candidate, arguing that his nickname resembled that of Singson’s rival in previous elections, Deogracias Victor "DV" Savellano.

The Comelec initially declared Savellano a nuisance candidate and cancelled his COC.

“The Comelec committed grave abuse of discretion in declaring Savellano a nuisance candidate despite having no substantial evidence to support its declaration. Accordingly, the resolution must be annulled,” the SC ruling said.

The decision, penned by Associate Justice Antonio Kho Jr., was promulgated in November 2025 and made public in February 2026.—MCG, GMA Integrated News