Bacolod independent candidates urged to file COCs early

BACOLOD City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is urging independent candidates here to submit their certificates of candidacy (COC) ahead of the October 8 deadline to allow time for resolving any discrepancies.

The filing period began on October 1.

According to the local Comelec office, only one aspirant has been filing daily since the start of the period.

In a media interview on October 3, the City Comelec officer, Atty. Revo Sorbito, noted that former Bacolod mayor Evelio Leonardia and ex-seafarer Romy Gustilo were among the early filers, seeking the congressman position on the first and second days, respectively.

The official stressed the importance of filing early, particularly for independent candidates, to avoid the last-minute rush and potential processing delays.

“It is better to file now while it is still relaxed, and not wait until the last days along with party-affiliated groups,” he said.

Despite this, the official assured that all aspirants, even those filing at the last minute, would be accommodated, but warned of possible delays and risks of non-acceptance if issues arose that could not be rectified before the deadline.

Meanwhile, Atty. Caesar Distrito, spokesperson for Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez, revealed that the Asenso Bacolod Team, led by Mayor Benitez, plans to file their complete slate on October 8, the final day.

The team aims to field candidates for congressman, mayor, vice mayor, and 12 councilors.

Distrito also disclosed that Mayor Benitez had voided the results of the Asenso Convention held on September 15 due to some Punong Barangays not adhering to his neutrality directive.

The mayor will now personally select the two remaining councilor candidates based on their winnability, loyalty, and competence. The final slate will be announced by the mayor himself./PN

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