Candidacy filing in WV ‘generally peaceful’

The filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for electoral aspirants vying for local positions in Western Visayas was generally peaceful, based on the initial observation of the Commission on Elections in Region 6 (COMELEC).

During his visit to the Iloilo City COMELEC Office on Friday, October 8, 2021, Comelec 6 Regional Director Atty. Wilfred Jay Balisado said that filing of COCs in the region was orderly.

Balisado added that his office has not received reports of any untoward incident during the filing of COCs in Western Visayas.

“So far, sa buong region wala namang reports or incidents tayo na natanggap,” he said during a media interview.  

Balisado cited the Iloilo City COMELEC Office as the most orderly in terms of the filing of COCs in the region.

“Yung filing pinaka-orderly, ang laki ng space nila and na-observe naman yung health protocols nakita naman natin,” he added.

COMELEC opened the filing of COCs for aspirants for local and national positions last October 1 until 5 p.m. of October 8.

Currently, COMELEC Region 6 is yet to identify “election hotspots” in the region.

According to Balisado, they will have to wait for the final list of candidates and the assessment of the areas particularly in terms of the intense political rivalry, the previous elections, and other factors to finally identify the hotspot areas.

“It’s still too early to identify yung mga hotspot areas, for now we have to assess pa yung mga areas na may intense political rivalry, yung past elections nila and we will also be coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP) because they will also be conducting their assessment,” he said. (ERS)