CANDIDATES seeking national posts in next year’s elections can start filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) today at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City, with the Commission on Elections strictly implementing health protocols against the coronavirus (COVID-19) disease.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body has put in place measures to ensure the safe and somber filing of COCs, unlike in the past when candidates were accompanied by throngs of supporters carrying banners, streamers, and placards, with some even bringing in marching bands.
“We really went to a great extent to make sure that the filing would be sober,” Jimenez said, adding this is the reason why they transferred the COC filing for candidates for president, vice president, senators, and party-list organizations from their Intramuros offices to the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent.
Candidates for House seats can file their COCs at the office of the Regional Election Director (for Metro Manila) and office of the Provincial Election supervisor in provinces. Candidates for local positions can also start filing their COCs today at Comelec-designated registration centers.
The Department of Health urged the Comelec to strictly implement minimum public health standards while the PNP has put in place tight security measures to safeguard national and local registration centers.
The registration period ends on October 8, with Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas saying in a television interview they want the public to know the official candidates by the middle of the month.
The Comelec said aspirants for the post of president, vice president, and senators are allowed a maximum of three companions only, while party-list bets can only have one companion.
“We will traffic the flow of candidates, one at a time. It will be on a first come, first serve basis,” said Abas.
The Comelec will also require all individuals entering registration venues to present negative antigen test results. They will also be required to undergo temperature checks, use face masks and shields, use hand sanitizers and foot bath, and present health declaration forms.
All candidates are also encouraged to bring their own pens, while COC forms can be download from the Comelec website.
The Comelec also said aspirants with COVID-19 symptoms can have their authorized representatives file the COCs on their behalf.
PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar has ordered police commanders “to adopt target-hardening measures and security adjustments in their respective areas of responsibility” to prevent election-related violence.
Three politicians were attacked over the past several days, one of them Councilor Ernesto Bihay of Liloy town in Zamboanga del Norte who died in an ambush last Monday.
Last Wednesday noon, Sam Zailon Esmael, who is planning to run for vice mayor of Datu Salibo town in Maguindanao, was ambushed in Datu Saudi Ampatuan town. Esmael survived unscathed but his security escort died in the attack.
Also last Wednesday, unidentified suspects lobbed a grenade inside the residence of Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, who was in Manila at that time. The grenade did not explode.
The Comelec refused to say how it will address the insistence of the Presidential Security Group to join President Duterte when he files his COC for vice president. — With Victor Reyes
