ILOILO City – Nearly 10,000 persons in Western Visayas have so far filed certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The filing of COCs started on April 14. The last day of filing is April 20.
The elections are on May 14.
As of April 15, Comelec Region 6 data showed 9,883 COCs filed – 7,902 for barangay posts (either for barangay captain or councilman) and 1,981 for SK posts (either for chairperson or councilors).
By province, here’s the breakdown of COCs filed so far:
* Iloilo – 3,583 (barangay); 714 (SK)
* Aklan – 589 (barangay); 271 (SK)
* Antique – 1,364 (barangay); 285 (SK)
* Capiz – 1,117 (barangay); 406 (SK)
* Guimaras – 44 (barangay); 1 (SK)
* Negros Occidental – 1,205 (barangay); 304 (SK)
Comelec regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan expected the number COC filers to increase further as the April 20 deadline for filing draws near. He urged them not to wait for “the last hour.”
Comelec offices accept COCs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
While interested candidates can secure forms from local Comelec offices, they have another convenient option – download the form from the official Comelec website, http://www.comelec.gov.ph.
Comelec is requiring each candidate to file six copies of his or her COC. These will be for the main Comelec office, municipal or city election office, provincial office, the candidate, and for the notary public.
In the last barangay and SK election in 2013, Comelec asked for only three COCs from the candidates.
Ausan reminded candidates to be careful when accomplishing their COCs. He recalled previous unfortunate incidents such as candidates for barangay captain submitting forms for barangay councilman.
“They need to be very cautious kon ano form gamiton. Kon kaisa ang first copy and ang subsequent copies lain nga form,” said Ausan.
Candidates must submit with their COCs their latest photos and one set of documentary stamps.
The COCs must be notarized, too, said Ausan./PN
