2 hopefuls' Senate dreams face setback after submitting wrong form

MANILA, Philippines —Two senatorial hopefuls on Thursday had to refile their certificates of candidacy after submitting an old form.

The two senatorial aspirants whose COCs were not accepted on the first day of filing were former Pagsanjan, Laguna Mayor and policeman Abner Afuang and Carmelo Carreon.

They filed the COC before the Commission on Elections but their documents were denied since they were using an old form and the information was incomplete.

Item 22 was added in the new form which asks the candidate if he or she has ever been found liable for an offense that has a penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office.

The new certificate of candidacy for senator has a new item (22) which asks the candidate if he/she has ever been found liable for an offense that has a penalty of perpetual disqualification to hols public office. @PhilstarNews pic.twitter.com/tqct9L7dgX

— Patricia Lourdes Viray (@patriciaviray) October 11, 2018

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez reminded the public that aspirants should use the new form from their website as the old one would not be accepted.

Due to this, both Afuang and Carreon are now re-filing their COCs using the new form.

The COC filing for the 2019 mid-term elections is slated from October 11 to 17. Jimenez said voluntary withdrawal of candidacy will be accepted from October 18 to November 29.