Kandidato
Kandidato (Tagalog for "Candidate")
In the Philippines, the term "kandidato" refers to a person who is seeking or nominated for an elected office. The term is directly derived from the Spanish word "candidato," which itself originates from the Latin "candidatus."
General Usage:
The term "kandidato" is widely used in Philippine politics and media to describe individuals running for positions such as:
- President
- Vice President
- Senator
- Member of the House of Representatives
- Governor
- Vice Governor
- Mayor
- Vice Mayor
- Councilor
Requirements and Qualifications:
To become a "kandidato," an individual must meet certain qualifications as prescribed by the Philippine Constitution and relevant election laws. These requirements typically include:
- Citizenship (Filipino)
- Age
- Residency
- Literacy
- Absence of disqualifications (e.g., criminal convictions, disloyalty to the Republic of the Philippines)
Specific requirements may vary depending on the position sought.
Nomination and Filing of Candidacy:
Individuals become official "kandidato" through nomination by a political party or by filing a certificate of candidacy with the Commission on Elections (COMELEC). The COMELEC is the principal government agency responsible for the administration and enforcement of election laws in the Philippines.
Campaigning:
Once a person is officially recognized as a "kandidato," they are permitted to engage in campaign activities aimed at persuading voters to support their candidacy. These activities may include rallies, debates, media appearances, and the distribution of campaign materials.
Related Terms:
- Eleksyon (Election): The process by which voters choose their leaders.
- Botante (Voter): A person who is eligible to vote in an election.
- COMELEC (Commission on Elections): The independent government body tasked with managing elections.
- Pulitika (Politics): The activities associated with governance and the exercise of power.