MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that a maximum of four individuals will be allowed to enter the designated area for filing Certificates of Candidacy (COC) from October 1 to 8.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia made the announcement as candidates prepare for the COC filing period for the upcoming national and local elections.
“Doon po sa national, papayagan lang natin eh tatlo na kasama nung mismong kandidato… dun din more or less ang papayagan natin sa mga local candidates,” Garcia told ABS-CBN News.
(We will only allow national and local candidates to file their COC with a maximum of three companions.)
Garcia emphasized that supporters would not be permitted to enter the COC filing area itself.
“Sa mismong lugar kung saan nagpa-file ng candidacy, hindi po namin sila (supporters) papayagan na makapasok hanggang doon sa mismong loob,” he said.
(Supporters of candidates will not be allowed to enter inside the COC filing area.)
He also urged potential candidates to keep the COC filing process low-key, stating that it should not turn into a spectacle that causes public disturbance or traffic issues.
“Tutal pormal-pormalidad lang na tatanggapin ng Comelec ang inyong mga COCs. Sana naman po huwag nating masyadong gawing fiesta o masyadong nagugulo yung mga kababayan natin. Lalo na po at yung traffic ay maaring maistorbo, yung traffic ay makakaistorbo sa kanila,” Garcia added.
(Since this is just a formality with Comelec receiving your COCs, let’s not turn it into a grand event that causes disruption, especially with traffic.)
Garcia stressed that candidates who plan to stage a grand COC filing must also ensure a smooth traffic flow from their location to the Comelec filing area.
Despite the usual festive atmosphere that accompanies the COC filing period, Garcia does not anticipate a rush on October 1. He believes many politicians delay filing based on their beliefs in feng shui.
“Ako ay hindi umaasa na madami kaagad ang magpa-file kaagad sa unang araw. Kalimitan base sa feng shui nila yan eh… base sa kanilang pinaniniwalaan at nakasanayan. Kalimitan huling araw nagpa-file ng kanilang Certificate of Candidacy,” he said in jest.
(I am not expecting a huge number of filers during the first day, because many file based on their feng shui adviser, or according to their belief. Most of the time, aspirants file on the last day.)
However, he acknowledged that some candidates prefer to get things done early and may file on the first day.