Brgy, SK elections; Candidates have 6 days to file COC

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has given three more days for aspiring candidates in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to file their Certificate of Candidacy.

Because of the numerous pleas from the Comelec field offices to extend the period of filing COC, the poll body decided to start the filing three days earlier than the previous schedule.

In a resolution, the Comelec en banc scheduled the period of filing of COC from October 11 to 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The original schedule was only October 15 to 17.

”In view of the expanding interest to participate in the Barangay and SK elections, it is likely that the number of aspirants for the positions will significantly increase, considering the tendency of aspirants to file COCs towards the end of the filing period,” the resolution reads.

According to the Comelec, the period for the filing of COCs cannot be extended beyond October 17, 2013 as the following day is already the start of the campaign period.

The amended resolution was promulgated last August 23, signed by Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes.

Comelec field offices earlier asked for additional days to accommodate all aspirants because of apprehensions that three days are not enough to accommodate everybody. — (FREEMAN)