Philippine politicians who have run for election behind bars

This photo taken on February 8, 2022 shows Philippine Vice President and opposition presidential candidate Leni Robredo (R) speaking as she endorses the senatorial candidacy of detained senator Leila de Lima next to a large cardboard cut out of de Lima (C), while de Lima's spokesperson Dino de Leon (L) looks on, during a campaign rally in the city of Naga, Camarines sur province, south of Manila. From behind bars, Philippine senator and human rights campaigner Leila de Lima is running for re-election in an against-the-odds campaign that gives her the chance to once again "go after" President Rodrigo Duterte.

AFP / Charism Sayat

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Senator Leila de Lima has spent five years in jail on drug trafficking charges, accusations so serious she is not eligible for bail. But she can still contest elections.

Being accused or convicted of major crimes in the Philippines is no barrier to running for public office — unless the hopefuls have exhausted their legal options.

Under the law, a person must be "sentenced by final judgment" to be disqualified from running. Therefore someone convicted of a crime can still run as long as he or she has an appeal pending with the courts. 

Full Story: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/02/09/2159656/philippine-politicians-who-have-run-election-behind-bars