ILOILO City – Wear face coverings. Bring own ball pens. Observe physical distancing.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is enjoining aspiring candidates for the May 2022 elections to observe these public health protocols at poll offices in Western Visayas to slow coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission.
Today is the start of the eight-day filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 9 elections.
No more negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results; just follow the health protocols, according to Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado, director of Comelec-6.
Poll offices open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Only two to three persons at a time will be allowed in each election office: the candidate, his lawyer, and a supporter or family member.
But if an election office has a limited space, Balisado said it is possible that only candidates will be allowed to enter.
The Iloilo City Police Office, along with other law enforcement agencies and force multipliers, conducted yesterday a simulation exercise at the city Comelec office in the Iloilo Terminal Market.
Meanwhile, Comelec-6 reminds aspiring candidates of their requirements.
1. Accomplish five copies of the COC using the form prescribed by Comelec for the position aspired for:
a. Get the COC forms from any Comelec Office or from https://comelec.gov.ph.
b. Fill out the form completely, both the front and back pages, according to instructions.
c. Have your COC sworn to or notarized before a notary public or any officials authorized to administer oath.
d. Affix a passport-size photograph taken within the last six months.
e. Attach your certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA), if applicable.
f. Attach a P30 documentary stamp to one of the original copies of the COC. Write the documentary stamp tax number on the remaining four copies of the COC.
g. Attach a bio-data and program, of government, if desired.
2. File the five copies of your COC, together with the CONA, if applicable, with the correct Comelec office:
a. personally; or
b. through an authorized representative, with a sworn and signed authority to file COC.
The positions city election offices would cater to are mayor, vice mayor, city councilors, and representative while provincial poll officers cater to candidates for governor, vice governor, board members and congressman.
Aspiring candidates for municipal mayor, vice mayor and Sangguniang Bayan members can file their COCs in their respective municipal or city election offices.
Balisado urged the candidates not to wait for the deadline of COC filing./PN
