Deadline for filing of COCs for 2010 polls moved to Dec. 1

MANILA, Philippines - The deadline for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 10, 2010 local and national polls has been extended from Nov. 30 to midnight of Dec. 1, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Jose Melo said yesterday.

The filing will start on Nov. 20.

“Our (former) deadline for the filing of COCs is Nov. 30 which is a holiday. So from Nov. 20, we will be open for the filing of applications – whether it’s a Saturday, Sunday or a holiday, including those holidays in the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) – to Dec. 1 up to 12 midnight,” Melo added.

Those running for president, vice president, senators and party-list will have to file their COCs at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila.

Candidates for congressmen down to councilors will have to lodge their COCs in their respective localities.

For next year’s polls, up for grab is a total of 17,888 positions, excluding the party-list seats.

The figure includes one each for president and vice president, 12 senators, 222 for House of Representatives, 80 each for governor and vice governor, 762 for provincial board member, 120 each for city mayor and vice mayor, 1,514 each for municipal mayor and vice mayor, and 12,116 municipal councilors.