Pangasinan bets told to prepare for COC filing

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines – The provincial election supervisor of Pangasinan advised all candidates in the 2016 elections to prepare all documents needed for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) before proceeding to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices.

The filing of COCs starts tomorrow until Oct. 12.

Lawyer Marino Salas told The STAR yesterday the lack of preparation and decision of a candidate often results in legal problems.

Salas said this happens when a candidate prepares several COC forms for different positions and submits documents not consistent with his final decision.

He said when he was assigned in La Union, a candidate submitted a COC for board member in the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, when he was running for a seat in the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

“To us in the Comelec, our work is just ministerial. We will simply accept the documents and it’s up to the candidate to deal with the problem that may arise later,” he said.

He said he has given final instructions to all 44 town and four city election officers in Pangasinan.

“We are ready. It’s all set for the filing of COC,” he said, adding the provincial and regional police forces would send officers to secure the Comelec offices during the filing period.

He said each Comelec office would be guarded by at least two police officers. 

Poll offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Oct. 12 to 16.