Comelec issues guidelines on filing of certificate of candidacy

By Peter A. Balocnit

Monday 17th of September 2012

TABUK CITY, Kalinga, Sept 17 (PIA) -- The Commission on Election (Comelec) released guidelines on filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 13, 2013 automated synchronized elections.

Rogelio Bagtang, OIC provincial election supervisor, said Comelec Resolution No. 9518 was promulgated on September 11.

The resolution sets the filing certificate of candidacy (COC) from October 1 to 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

It also updated the COC forms to capture the necessary facts and information about the candidates and duly sworn by a notary public or any official authorized to administer oath.

He said Comelec officials are not authorized to administer oath.

Bagtang also said that no COC shall be filed or accepted by mail, electronic mail, telegram or facsimile.

“The COC has to be filed personally by the candidate or by his duly authorized representative, whose authority must be in writing, under oath and attached in the application,” Bagtang said.

He said withdrawal of candidacy maybe filed any time before election day. However, he said the filing of withdrawal of COC will not affect whatever civil, criminal or administrative liabilities a candidate may have incurred.

The rule also provides that the substitute of a candidate who has withdrawn on or before December 21, 2012 may file his COC for the office affected not later than December 21 so that the name of the substitute will be reflected on the official ballots.

He said the substitute for a candidate, who died or is disqualified by final judgment, may file his COC up to mid-day of election day, provided that the substitute and the substituted have the same surnames.

“There shall be no substitute candidate allowed for any independent candidate,” Bagtang said.

“Employees in government including uniformed men are considered resigned from their office and must vacate the same at the start of the day of the filing of their candidacy,” Bagtang added. (PAB-PIA CAR,Kalinga)