Comelec’s Response to the Controversial “Daang Matuwid” Nick Names on Official Ballots

The Philippines national poll body, Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released an official statement in response to the controversial “Daang Matuwid” nick names used by the administration party’s standard bearer as shown on official ballots being used by the Overseas Filipino Workers in the official Overseas Absentee Voting.

Mar Roxas Daang Matuwid

Comelec chairman Andres Bautista encouraged those with complaints to file a case with the poll agency instead of giving a clear explanation why is it that Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo used the said nicknames which was also used by various government agencies.

The poll body’s chairman Andres Bautista was quoted as saying “Yun ang nickname na inilagay nila, eh yun ang nickname. Mag-file na lang ng complaint,” Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said.

On the other hand, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said, “It was placed in the COC [Certificate of Candidacy]. I think the only problem with that now is that some government agencies have started using that (slogan). But that’s a separate issue, whether the can use it or not.”

The Comelec spokesperson clarified that there should be no confusion of using the Daang Matuwid nicknames by both Leni Robredo and Mar Roxas because they were running for different positions. “They are running for two different positions, so there’s no confusion there,” Jimenez explained. “In this case, these are two different people running for different positions. There’s really nothing wrong with that.

The complaints of some netizens with regards to the used of “Daang Matuwid” nicknames caught the attentions of former Gregorio Larrazabal, the legal counsel of the National People’s Coalition (NPC).

1 thought on “Comelec’s Response to the Controversial “Daang Matuwid” Nick Names on Official Ballots”

Leave a Comment