And then there were ten.

From eight, there are now officially ten presidential candidates in the May 10, 2010 polls after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reconsidered and accepted the certificates of candidacy of independent candidate Nicanor Perlas and Vetallano Acosta of the Kilusang Bagong Lipunan.

The two were not in the initial list of eight presidential candidates released by the poll body last December 15.

The poll body also increased the number of senatorial candidates from 58 to 62 with the addition of Danilo Lim (Liberal Party), Emilio Mario Osmena (Abag Promdi), Nannette Espinosa (Kilusang Bagong Lipunan) and Adz Nikabulin (Bangon Pilipinas).

The Comelec en banc in its Resolution No. 8743 explained why it granted the motions for reconsideration of Perlas and Acosta.

In the case of Perlas, the Comelec cited his plan to wage a campaign via the internet and his international stature as an environmentalist and anti-corruption advocate.

“The filing of a Certificate of Candidacy of a person with a distinguished track record in public service who has received numerous recognitions for his work both here and abroad cannot be said to have put the election process in mockery,” the Comelec said.

“From the research made by (Perlas), internet users in the country amount to almost 24 million and his strong, credible presence could be felt in the internet through his numerous websites,” it furthered.

Acosta, on the other hand, was allowed to run mainly due to the recognition of his party, the KBL, which the Comelec had allowed to field candidates for vice president and senators. The party was founded by the late President Ferdinand Marcos during the martial law years.

“If the COCs of KBL’s nominees for vice president and senators were given due course, there is no reason why the commission should deny due course to Mr. Acosta’s COC,” the poll body stated.

Perlas viewed the Comelec decision as a blessing in disguise.

“I think it was able to clarify to the Filipino people what real politics is. It is not anymore about politics of money. This is about having vision and hope,” he said minutes after the Comelec promulgated its decision.

Perlas and Acosta thus joined Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III (Liberal Party), John Carlos Delos Reyes (Ang Kapatiran), Joseph “Erap” Estrada (Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino), Richard Gordon (Bagong Bayan), Sen. Ma. Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal (independent), Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro (Lakas-Kampi-CMD), Sen. Manuel “Manny” Villar (Nacionalista Party), and Eduardo “Bro. Eddie” Villanueva (Bangon Pilipinas Party) as presidential candidates.

Candidates for vice president, however, remained at eight.

The Comelec is expected to release the list for party list groups this Friday.