The Supreme Court of the Philippines has declared that financial resources are not a prerequisite for running for public office. The court overturned a lower court decision that disqualified Juan Olila Ollesca as a nuisance candidate in the 2022 presidential elections.
Declaring that wealth should not be a prerequisite for leadership, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the democratic rights of citizens to run for public office irrespective of their financial means. In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court said candidates' lack of financial resources to fund a nationwide campaign does not automatically qualify them as nuisance candidates. The En Banc ruling penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F.
Leonen overturned previous resolutions by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that invalidated the candidacy of Juan Olila Ollesca in the 2022 presidential elections. The case began in October 2021, when Ollesca, a business owner, filed his Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to run as an independent candidate for the presidency. Shortly thereafter, the Comelec Law Department petitioned to declare Ollesca a nuisance candidate. They argued that he was neither well-known nor possessed the resources to mount a nationwide campaign. The Comelec's Second Division granted the petition, declaring Ollesca a nuisance candidate. The Comelec En Banc upheld this decision, denying Ollesca's motion for reconsideration. The high court in its decision emphasized that in a democracy, every citizen has the right to seek public office, a principle that must be balanced with the practical need to maintain free, fair, and orderly elections. The law, it stated, allows Comelec to regulate candidacies to avoid confusion, excessive resource allocation, and voter deception. Nonetheless, the tribunal stressed that the criteria for declaring a nuisance candidate must adhere to legal standards. It is the responsibility of the Comelec to present substantial evidence that a candidate lacks genuine intent to run for office. Factors such as the absence of a political party nomination, limited public recognition, or insufficient campaign funds cannot, on their own, serve as definitive proof of a lack of intent. The Court further noted that disqualifying candidates based on their financial capacity would effectively impose a property requirement for public office—a practice explicitly prohibited by the Constitution. It stressed that the central consideration should be whether a candidate enjoys significant public support, not their likelihood of success or campaign resources. In Ollesca's instance, the Comelec's ruling relied on general assertions about his financial incapacity without presenting sufficient evidence of his lack of genuine intent. By shifting the burden of proof onto Ollesca, the Comelec failed to meet its legal obligation to substantiate its claim, the court said
DEMOCRACY CANDIDACY ELECTION NUISANCE CONSTITUTION
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