DQ CASES: PROPAGANDA WAR BEFORE OFFICIAL CAMPAIGN

Used by either or both contenders in the 2019 election, it is an old weapon: each aspirant seizing on his rival’s flaw in qualifications or failure to meet requirements as basis for taking him out of the race.

The attack by itself, authorized by the rules, serves as propaganda material against the opponent, magnifying it for the public to see that a candidate is not qualified and faces the risk of being struck out from the ballot or legally disabled from assuming his seat if he wins.

Time is important. Strategies exploit the slow pace of Comelec in resolving DQ cases.

A candidate who thinks he could be disqualified still files his COC, hoping on a feeble Comelec to sit on his case and not rule even after he has already won and served a huge chunk of the term.

Voters who are supposed to know the candidate’s possible disability-be the case freshly filed, on trial or pending appeal–may be confused or mesmerized by shrewd propaganda on various media platforms.

They realize the deception only when the case is finally decided after the proclamation and often even when the disqualified bet has long been in office, enjoying the bulk of the real winner’s term.

Who separates facts from campaign b.s.? Voters have to look for independent data. But many wouldn’t bother and rely on their gut, their old biases and the usual, at times defective, sources of information.

Yes, some unfit leaders are elected and reelected, despite the DQ cases bugging them.