COC most important document for bets

MANILA, Philippines - For five days starting on Monday, the certificate of candidacy (COC) is the most important document for those aspiring for 18,000 elective positions, from the president down to municipal councilor.

This one-page document will have to be filed by those who wish to run in elections on May 9, 2016.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) modified the COC to include a sworn statement of prospective candidates that renounced their foreign citizenships.

The poll body had cited Republic Act No. 9225, or the Citizenship Retention and Re-acquisition Act of 2003, and the Aug. 18 ruling of the Supreme Court (SC) in Arnado vs Comelec case in making the change.

Sec. 5 of RA 9225 states that those who retain or re-acquire Philippine citizenship under this law shall enjoy full civil and political rights with those seeking elective public office. They are required, however, to make a personal and sworn renunciation of foreign citizenship at the time of the filing of the COC.

In Arnado vs Comelec case, SC ruled that a person with dual citizenship may run for public office in the Philippines provided that they meet the qualifications set by the Constitution and existing laws; and make a personal and sworn renunciation of foreign citizenship when they file their COCs.

The eligibility of candidates was also provided for in the 1987 Constitution.

Under Sec. 2 and 3, Article 7, “no person may be elected president unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, (and) able to read and write.”

The candidate must also be at least 40 years of age on the day of election and a resident of the Philippines for at least 10 years preceding the elections.