THE election fever is on as the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy for the May 2019 national and local polls begins today.
And with the start of the filing, the Commission on Elections has expressed hope that the event won’t turn into a circus of supporters.
“We want to emphasize that our goal in our preparations for the filing is dignified. We don’t want to turn it into a circus of supporters. We don’t want it to be chaotic. We don’t want it to be disorderly that’s why we are controlling the process,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said.
According to the poll official, they expect that there will be major names every day in the filing.
He also expects that more people will file their CoCs for senator for the upcoming polls compared to the 2016 elections.
Jimenez reminded those filing their CoCs for senator on the third floor of the Palacio del Gobernador building in Intramuros, Manila that only four persons will be allowed to accompany them. “Five persons will be allowed to enter Palacio Gobernador, including the senatorial candidate,” he said.
For party-list groups, Jimenez said 10 people will be allowed, including nominees. The filing of the Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination of party-list groups shall be filed on the eighth floor of Palacio del Gobernador.
Also expected to file their CoCs are those running for congressmen, governors, vice governors, members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan, city mayors, city vice mayors, city councilors, municipal mayors, municipal vice mayors, municipal councilors, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao governor, ARMM vice governor, and ARMM assemblymen.
CoCs for Metro Manila congressmen shall be filed at the Office of National Capital Region Director; Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for provincial officials, including congressmen; Office of the City or Municipal Election Officer for city or municipal officials; Office of the ARMM Regional Election Director for ARMM governor and vice governor; and Office of the ARMM Provincial Election Supervisor for ARMM legislative assembly members. (Leslie Ann G. Aquino)