Filing of COCs resumes today

ILOILO – After a two-day weekend break, Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices resume accepting certificates of candidacy (COCs) today for the May 13, 2019 midterm elections.

During the first day of the five-day filing period on Oct. 11, no COCs were filed in 25 municipal election offices and the city election office in the component city of Passi, according to the provincial Comelec office.

The filing period’s last day is Oct. 17.

Iloilo provincial election supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronila had a theory: in feng shui 11 was not a lucky number.

Aside from Passi City, municipalities with no COCs filed on Oct. 11 were Ajuy, Badiangan, Barotac Nuevo, Bingawan, Calinog, Carles, Dingle, Dumangas, Estancia, Guimbal, Lambunao, Leganes, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Mina, New Lucena, Oton, Pototan, San Dionisio, San Enrique, San Rafael, Sara, Tigbauan, and Tubungan.

Meanwhile, the town with the most COCs filed on Oct. 11 was Batad – 22 (three for mayor, two for vice mayor and 17 for councilor).

Doronila said there could be a surge in COC filers today because 15 is a lucky number in feng shui.

But superstition aside, Doronila said, political groups may have already completed their lineup by now so there would be no more hitches in their filing of COCs.

The COC must have the candidate’s photograph, signature and documentary stamp on top of being notarized.

The filer must also submit the following: Certificate of Nomination (from a political party if a party member), Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination and Authority to File Certificate of Candidacy.

Meanwhile, according to Comelec regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan, a COC filer must meet the following criteria:

* must be a Filipino citizen (except for those seeking to run for senator; they should not only be Filipino citizens, they must also be natural-born Filipino citizens)

* must be a resident of the place where he/she intends to run for at least one year before election day

* must be a registered voter of the place where he/she intends to run

* must be able to read and write

The age qualifications are the following:

* for senator – at least 35 years old on election day

* for congressman – at least 25 years old on election day

* for governor, vice governor and Provincial Board member – at least 23 years old on election day

* for mayor, vice mayor and councilor (highly-urbanized city) – at least 23 years old on election day

* for mayor and vice mayor (independent component city, component city, or municipality) – at least 21 years old on election day

* for city and municipal councilor – at last 18 years old on election day/PN

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