THE filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the May 13, 2013 elections starts today, Monday.
The filing of the COC will only be until October 5, Friday, as Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes said that there will be no extension up to midnight in the filing of certificates of candidacy.
"The filing of COCs will only be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., no longer until 12 midnight as in previous elections," Brillantes said.
He also said Comelec Resolution No. 9518 specifies where to file the COC. Any COC not filed with the correct offices therein shall not be accepted, he added.
For candidates with political parties, he said they should attach their Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA) and file them simultaneously with the COC.
"When a candidate fails to file his CONA together with his COC, he shall automatically be deemed an independent candidate," he added.
Brillantes also reminded candidates of the 30-character limit in the name the candidate prefers to appear in the ballot.
"(It shall only be 30 characters, STRICTLY in the following order: last name / first name OR nickname / political party affiliation," he said.
BrillantesI also appealed to candidates to dispense with all the fanfare.
"Let us make the filing of COCs as dignified as it should be," he stressed.
Calendar of Activities
Meanwhile, Comelec has come up with Resolution No. 9385 - Calendar of Activities for the May 13, 2013 National and local elections.
December 14, 2012 (Friday)
Last day to publish the National Registry of Overseas Absentee Voters (NROAV) at the Comelec and DFA Websites. (Sec. 19, Resolution No. 9269 dated August 3, 2011).
January 02, 2013 (Wednesday) to January 15, 2013 (Tuesday)
Constitution of BOC’s and BEIs, SBRCGs, SBEIs and SBOCs
January 13, 2013 (Sunday)
Last day to prepare and update CLOAV and furnish copies to the PHL embassies, consulates, and other foreign service establishments abroad.
January 13, 2013 (Sunday) to June 12, 2013 (Wednesday)
Start of election period
Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct. (Sec. 5, RA 8189).
Transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service. (Sec. 261 (h), OEC). are prohibited.
Start of election gun ban
Prohibited Acts: Bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons, unless authorized in writing by the Commission. (Sec. 261 (p) (q) (r) and (s), OEC as amended by Sec. 32, RA 7166).
Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized in writing by the Commission (Sec. 261 (t), OEC as amended by Sec. 33, RA 7166), are also prohibited.
Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or other similar forces (Sec. 261 (u), OEC) and Suspension of elective local officials. (Sec. 261 (x), OEC) are prohibited.
February 12, 2013 (Tuesday)
Posting of the certified list of voters. (Sec. 30, RA 8189)
February 12, 2013 (Tuesday) to May 11, 2013 (Saturday)
Campaign period for party-list groups participating in the party-list system of representation. (Sec. 4, RA 7941).
February 12, 2013 (Tuesday) to May 13, 2013 (Monday)
Giving donations or gift in cash or in kind, etc. (Sec. 104, OEC) are prohibited.
March 14, 2013 (Thursday) to March 28, 2013 (Thursday)
Issuance or sending of notices of inspection and verification of completeness of the precinct book of voters. (Sec. 31, RA 8189).
March 29, 2013 (Friday to May 13, 2013 (Monday)
Prohibited Acts: Appointment or hiring of new employees; creation or filling up of new positions; promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration or privilege. (Sec. 261 (g), OEC).
Construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds. (Sec. 261 (w), OEC). Release disbursement or expenditures of public funds. (Sec 261 (v), OEC).
March 14, 2013 (Thursday) to June 12, 2013 (Wednesday)
Illegal release of prisoners. (Sec. 261 (n), OEC)
March 28, 2013 (Holy Thursday) and March 29, 2013 (Good Friday)
Campaigning
March 29, 2013 (Friday) to May 11, 2013 (Saturday)
Campaign period for candidates for Member, House of Representatives, and elective regional, provincial, city and municipal officials. (Sec. 5 (b), RA 7166)
March 29, 2013 (Friday) to April 13, 2013 (Saturday)
Inspection, verification and sealing of the precinct book of voters. (Sec. 31, RA 8189)
April 13, 2013 (Saturday)
Last day to furnish every registered voter with a Voter’s Information Sheet (VIS). (Sec. 1, RA 7904)
April 13, 2013 (Saturday) to May 13, 2013 (Monday)
Casting of votes by overseas voters (on any day starting from April 13, 2013 (host country time) to 3:00 o’clock p.m. of May 13, 2013 (Phl time). Sec. 16A, RA 9189).
May 06, 2013 (Monday) to May10, 2013 (Friday)
Testing and sealing of the PCOS (Sec. 28, RA 8436)
May 12, 2013 (Sunday) Eve of Election Day
Prohibited Acts
Campaigning. (Sec. 5, RA 7166) Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor. (Sec. 261 (dd), OEC.)
Giving, accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value. (Sec. 89, OEC).
May 13, 2013 (Monday) Election Day (Casting of Votes)
Prohibited Acts: Campaigning. (Sec. 5, RA 7166)
Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor. (Sec. 261 (dd), OEC)
Giving, accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value. (Sec. 89, OEC)
Voting more than once or in substitution of another. (Sec. 261 (z) (2) and (3), OEC).
Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place or within 30 meters thereof. (Sec. 261 (cc), OEC).
Opening of booths or stalls for the sale, etc., of merchandise, or refreshments within a radius of thirty (30) meters from the polling place. (Sec. 261 (dd) (2), OEC).
Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or any other similar sports. (Sec. 261 (dd) (3), OEC).
May 13, 2013 (Monday)
Convening of the Municipal/ City/District, Provincial and Regional Boards of Canvassers and Special Boards of Canvassers
June 12, 2013 (Wednesday)
Last day to file Sworn Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures. (Sec. 14, RA 7166).