18,863 bets file COC on first day

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said 18,863 candidates for the October 28 barangay elections have filed their certificates of candidacy (COC) during the first day of filing.

Comelec Regional Director Dennie Ausan said out of the 18,863 candidates for punong barangay, 2,148 filed their COCs on the first day, while 16,715 filed their papers for barangay kagawad all over Western Visayas.

Ausan said the turnout in the first day of COC filing was high.

He appealed then to the candidates who would be filing their COCs to strictly follow the Comelec rules and regulations.

He said candidates can use the photocopied forms for their COCs, but the entries like their signatures, data on personal records, and documentary stamps must be original and notarized.

Ausan said that for as long as the data are complete, Comelec has no authority to reject the COCs since they have ministerial duties insofar as the candidacies are concerned.

He also pointed out that they are strictly monitoring three-term barangay officials who may attempt to file their COCs despite having completed their term of office.

Any complaints pertaining to certain candidates, he said, would be referred and acted upon by the Comelec en banc. (TDE)