THE Commission on Elections changed the date for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the coming October 30 elections.
It also revised the Calendar of Activities for the 2023 BSKE following the Comelec en banc meeting held March 22 at its national office.
Instead of July 3–7, the filing of the COC is now scheduled from August 28–September 2, according to the press statement forwarded to the local media by Provincial Comelec Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria.
"This is to ensure that the Commission will be able to set the election period early to coincide with the Election Period in order to deputize the law enforcement and prosecution agencies of the government in similar early fashion, enabling the COMELEC to more than adequately prepare, not just for the operational and administrative aspects of the elections, but moreso on the security of all barangays, which is a paramount consideration," the press statement stated.
It added, "Being a COMELEC that listens and hears the clamor of our honorable senators and members of the House of Representatives, as well as that of other interest groups and stakeholders, the Commission opted to move the election period and the period for filing of COCs closer to October 30, to just 63 days before the BSKE."
The Commission will proceed with its early coordination and security planning with the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the National Bureau of Investigation, it also said.
The COMELEC en banc had also resolved to make Task Force Kontra Bigay, the Inter-Agency premier arm of the Commission, to combat vote-buying and vote-selling, a standing and permanent working committee within the Commission.
The revised Calendar of Activities showed that from August 28 to September 2, filing of the COC; August 28 to November 4-election period and gun ban; August 28 to October 18-campaigning is prohibited; October 19 to 28-campaign period; October 28 to 30-liqour ban and on October 30-Election Day.
November 29 will be the last day to file Statements of Contribution and Expenditures (SOCE) for all candidates.*