Flashcards Studio

In the City of Mira, a candidate for governor, Lilo, files a certificate of candidacy (CoC) with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). Before the deadline for withdrawal or substitution, Lilo signs a verified written notice of withdrawal and files it with COMELEC. Her party nominates Kai as a substitute candidate within the period for substitution. An independent candidate for governor, Niko, has also filed a CoC. (a) Identify the controlling doctrine on withdrawal of a certificate of candidacy and the conditions under which withdrawal is permitted. (b) Apply that doctrine to the facts: was Lilo’s withdrawal effective, and was substitution by Kai legally permissible? (c) If substitution is permitted, describe the steps, the ballot implications, and the limits of substitution; if substitution is not permitted, explain the consequences for the party slate and for ballot design.