What will happen when pols file their candidacies?

By Joseph B.A. Marzan

In less than 2 weeks, candidates will be flocking to national and local election offices to file their Certificates of Candidacy (COC), formally sealing their fate to either win or lose in the May 9, 2022 polls.

The filing of COCs will be from October 1 to 8, including the weekends of Oct. 2 and 3, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., according to Jonathan Sayno of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Iloilo City office.

Candidates should wear face masks and face shields when filing their COCs with the city election office on the second floor of the Iloilo Terminal Market.

Sayno clarified that candidates for local positions are not required to present negative test results for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

COMELEC Resolution No. 10717 states that only candidates for President, Vice-President, and Senator would have to present negative results via antigen or Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing 24 hours before filing their COC and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA).

The COC forms, prescribed CONA format, and other important forms and requirements are available for download at the COMELEC’s official website, or they can get physical copies from local COMELEC offices.

Unlike the current wave of voter’s registration activities held in malls and schools across the city, the filing of COCs and CONAs will be done only at the COMELEC office.

Sayno said that a change of venue was “unnecessary” since only candidates and up to 2 companions per candidate would be allowed. Anyone else would be prohibited if they don’t have any transactions with the office.

He added that the candidate may designate a representative to file on their behalf, with written authority from the candidate which is also available on the COMELEC website or from the local election office.

“We are strict with the rule that if there are no transactions from other people, they cannot enter the COMELEC office,” Sayno said.

He added that disciplining supporters would depend on the candidates and their parties.

“Back in 2019, the streets were like Dinagyang, filled with supporters. Now, it would only depend on the candidates because we can only control on what happens in our offices, and we don’t have any control over whatever goes on downstairs. We do not have any call if the candidates have supporters coming with them,” he added.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Sayno also discussed the current state of voter registration in the city, which averages to around 1,000 per day.

Since the start of registrations before the current pandemic (Jan. 2020) until April 2021, the COMELEC Iloilo City was able to enlist 12,000 voter registrations. Around 70 percent of successful registrations are first-time voters aged 18 to 30 years old.

He said the local election office hopes to enlist another 10,000 to 12,000 voters by the last day of registration on Sept. 30.

The COMELEC En Banc had previously rejected calls to extend voter registration amid calls from various sectors.

According to Sayno, their recent satellite registration activities added 1,000 registrants per day at malls.

Satellite registration in Iloilo City started on Sept. 10 at SM City Iloilo, just after registration activities resumed in the city on Sept. 6.

Because of the influx of people wanting to register, local COMELEC officials imposed cut-off times for registrants so they can accommodate the adequate number of registrants.

“From 7:00 a.m., we already declare a cut-off because before mall opening, 500 to 600 people are already waiting to enter so what we want to clarify is that our processing of registration is that everyone waiting in line can be registered. We cannot open for the whole day because we may not be able to determine how much we can accommodate,” he said.

Scheduled satellite registrations include today (Sept. 18) at the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV), Sept. 20 at the PHINMA University of Iloilo, Sept. 21 to 22 at Festive Mall, Sept. 23 at CityMall Parola, Sept. 24 and 25 at Robinsons Place Jaro, and Sept. 27 to 30 at Robinsons Place Iloilo.

First-time voters who would be 18 or older by May 9, 2022 must bring photocopies of their birth certificate and school ID or valid government-issued ID.

Transferees from other towns or provinces and transferees between barangays should bring any valid government-issued ID.

Voters who want to correct their registration entries should bring a photocopy of their birth certificate (for name correction), or marriage certificate for change of status. Women have also been allowed to use their maiden names.