ILOILO City – There’s a few more days to go before the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 9, 2022 elections.
The COC filing will be on Oct. 1 to Oct. 8 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to City Assistant Election Officer Jonathan Sayno.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Region 6 reminds aspiring candidates of the 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.
“Sa mga naga-aspire mangin candidate, available na ang aton pormas, COC forms and CONA. Ang authority to file sang COC in behalf sa kandidato ready naman,” Sayno said.
A CONA is only required for aspiring candidates with political parties. Independent candidates need not secure a CONA, Sayno said.
According to Sayno, an aspiring candidate must be a registered voter in Iloilo City and has no dual citizenship.
On the day of COC filing, Sayno advised aspiring candidates to observe the minimum public health standards, particularly the wearing of facemasks and shields, and physical distancing.
Sayno said only two companions are allowed.
“Panahon sang pandemya subong, limitado ang makasulod sa opisina,” he said.
To avoid crowding, Sayno said there will be a holding area that could accommodate 20 people.
The positions city Comelec would cater to are mayor, vice mayor, city councilors, and representative.
Two supporters or family members can also accompany a candidate in Iloilo province, said Atty. Elizabeth Doronila, Iloilo provincial election officer.
“Ang makasulod diri sa opisina isa lang anay ka candidate and follower or family. Bali ang puede makasulod tatlo lang ka tawo,” said Doronila.
Comelec-Iloilo will also deploy COVID marshals to ensure compliance with the minimum public health protocols.
Doronila also appealed to aspiring candidates not to wait for the last day of filing.
“We have to close the filing of COC at 5 p.m. on Oct. 8. Wala kita mahimu, indi kita mag-extend,” said Doronila.
The positions Comelec-Iloilo would cater to are 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.
Here are other reminders in COC filing:
a. An aspirant who files a COC for more than one office shall not be eligible for any of them. However, the aspirant may file with the proper office a sworn Statement of Cancellation to maintain the desired office and cancel the COC for the other office/s.
b. Any COC filed with the incorrect office shall be deemed as not filed.
c. No COC filed by mail, electronic mail, telegram or facsimile shall be accepted.
d. A COC not in the form prescribed by Comelec for the position aspired for, an incomplete COC, or those filed beyond the prescribed period shall not be accepted.
e. The venue for filing of COC may be transferred if the designated venue is not suitable based on the national Inter-Agency Task Force guidelines on coronavirus health and safety protocols./PN