Tajanan v COMELEC G.R. No.

104443 April 13, 1992

Facts: In line with the 2004 and 2010 elections COMELEC issued a resolution adopting the
recommendation of it’s law department regarding the limiting of the number of candidates to ensure
the dignity and manageability of the election for the Offices of the President, Vice-President and
Senators. This is in line with the ruling in Tajanan v COMELEC.

Held “xxx This does not mean that this Court is declaring national politics as the sole preserve of the so-
called ‘traditional politicians’. However, given the complexity of the present political exercise, which
involves the election of government officials from the President down to city and municipal officials. We
recognize the need to keep the number of candidates to a manageable level, and this means keeping
those who are not serious in running for office out of the race.” Considering the dignity that must be
accorded the Offices of the President, Vice-President and Senators, the magnitude of the responsibility
of those officers, the following criteria was observed in the determination of the candidates who have
bona fide intention to run for the office for which they seek to be elected:

1. Candidates who, on the face of their certificate of candidacy, do not possess the constitutional and
legal qualifications of the office to which they aspire to be elected;

2. Candidates who, on the face of said certificate, filed their certificate of candidacy to put the election
process in mockery or disrepute;

3. Candidates whose certificate of candidacy would cause confusion among the voters by the similarity
of names and surnames with other candidates; and

4. Candidates who have no intention to run for the office for which the certificate of candidacy has been
filed as shown by circumstances or acts that clearly demonstrate the lack of such bona fide intention,
such as:

a) candidate who cannot wage a nationwide campaign;

b) candidates who do not have a platform of government;

c) candidates who are not nominated by a political party or are not supported by a registered political
party with national constituency; and

d) candidates for president or vice-president who do not present running mates for president or vice-
president, respectively, nor senatorial candidates.