The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will ban the festive filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) of those who want to participate in the 2022 elections.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said they would limit the number of candidates entering Comelec offices to 2 or 3 to avoid mass gatherings and speed up the process.
He also said that the Comelec would restrict the media staff to cover.
The Comelec will issue new rules on this.
“Pangkaraniwan kasi kapag magpa-file sila ng certificate of candidacy, whether in Manila, ‘yung sa main office natin, or du’n sa mga iba’t ibang opisina sa probinsiya ay talagang nagbibitbit sila ng isang buong barangay eh ipagbabawal po natin yan,” said Jimenez.
He said the Comelec is also studying whether there can be an online filing of the COC.
The Comelec admitted that they are still working on some issues because, based on the law, COC filing must be personal.
However, he said some lawmakers are open to studying the new system and amending the law.
Festive filing of candidacy prohibited: Comelec
Early this month, former Comelec officials warned politicians taking advantage of the substitution of election candidates.
The Omnibus Election Code allows the substitution of a candidate by a political party who has died, withdrew, or has been finally disqualified. The replacement must also come from the party.
Because the election is now automated, the Comelec has set the deadline for withdrawing candidates earlier to include the substitute’s name on the ballot.
The deadline for replacing a deceased or disqualified candidate is noon on polling day and must be the same last name. Substitution of independent candidates is prohibited.
As a solution, they said, the Comelec may set earlier the deadline for the substitution of withdrawing candidates.
The filing of the certificate of candidacy is still in October.
November 15 is the last day to substitute party-list nominees and candidates who have withdrawn, passed away, or have been finally disqualified for inclusion on the ballot.
From November 16 until noon on polling day, the substitution of the disqualified or deceased candidate with the same last name will be replaced.
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