ELECTION FEVER. Employees of the Commission on Elections in Davao City set up tarpaulins for candidate listings on Monday (Sept. 30, 2024), ahead of the start of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm polls. The Philippine National Police said 36,000 police officers would be deployed nationwide to secure the filing of COCs which starts on Tuesday (Oct. 1). (PNA photo by Robinson Niñal)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said 36,000 cops would be deployed to maintain peace and order during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the May 2025 midterm polls from Oct. 1 to 8.
In a press conference held at Camp Crame, Quezon City, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said security measures would be heightened and checkpoint operations would be intensified in strategic areas during this period.
“Hindi na lamang ‘yung mga kandidato ang babantayan diyan, siyempre ‘yung mga kaanak pati kanilang mga supporters gaya ng sinabi natin na kapag local elections mas mainit yan sa national election kaya yan ‘yung tinitingnan diyan (We are not just keeping a close watch on the candidates, it also includes their relatives and supporters. As we have said, local elections are more intense than national elections so we are keeping an eye on that)," she said.
While the PNP would remain on a normal alert status, Fajardo said police commanders on the ground may opt to raise the alert level in their respective jurisdictions should the need arise.
“The Chief PNP (Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil) also wants to keep a close watch on potential PAGs (Private Armed Groups) which can be used to sow violence. The order of our Chief PNP is to make sure that these potential PAGs won't be used especially at this early stage of filing of candidacy,” she added.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) is fully prepared to secure the filing of COCs in Metro Manila.
In a separate statement, NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said 1,389 cops will be deployed to enhance police visibility at all designated filing locations, including Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices and other key areas.
Nartatez has directed district directors to ensure sufficient personnel are assigned to manage crowd control and traffic flow, and to provide assistance through help desks for candidates and the public.
The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).
'Fiesta mood' seen
The Commission on Elections (Comelec), meanwhile, is expecting a festive atmosphere during the COC filing which kicks off on Tuesday.
"As you know, there is no such thing as premature campaigning so we would see a fiesta-like atmosphere. There would be performers, bands, concerts, free food, raising of hands and wearing of a single color. We cannot prevent them from doing so even if their faces are shown in the streets because they are not candidates yet. They would only be considered candidates on the first day of the campaign period," Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said in an interview.
The campaign period for national candidates (senator and party-list group) will start on Feb. 11, 2025 while those running for local posts (members of House of Representatives, parliamentary, provincial, city, municipal officials), the campaign period will start on March 28, 2025.
The campaign period will run until May 10, 2025.
Garcia, meanwhile, said the poll body is all set for the COC filing period.
"As I have said, we urged all COC filers to check the Comelec website on the venues of COC filing across the country," he said.
Candidates for national positions will be filing their COCs at the Tent City of The Manila Hotel in Manila.
For those running for members of the House of Representatives, they are slated to file their COCs at the Office of the Regional Election Director (for National Capital Region), Office of Provincial Election Supervisor (for provincial legislative districts), Office of the Election Officer (for city legislative districts outside Metro Manila).
COCs will be filed in the Offices of Provincial Election Supervisor for those running for governors, vice governors, and provincial board members.
The Offices of the Election Officer, meanwhile, shall receive the COCs for candidates for mayors, vice mayors, and councilors.
The COC filing would run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 8.
At the same time, Garcia reminded bets to follow their guidelines as far as the number of people that are allowed to accompany the bets.
"To the COC filers and their companions, don't test us. There is limited space in the venue. We want our COC filing to be orderly. Let us follow the rules. This is the appeal of the Comelec," he said.
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 11045, candidates can only bring three to four companions during the COC filing.
A total of 18,272 positions will be up for grabs in forthcoming midterm polls.
These include the seats for 12 senators, 63 party-list representatives, and 254 members of the House of Representatives.
Also up for grabs are seats for 82 governors, 82 vice governors, 800 members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board), 149 city mayors, 149 city vice mayors, 1,682 members of Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council), 1,493 municipal mayors, 1,493 municipal vice mayors, and 11,948 members of Sangguniang Bayan (Municipal Board).
Poll bets told to shun violence
The country's anti-insurgency body has also appealed to poll aspirants to take a definitive stand against armed struggle and commit to peaceful solutions to societal problems.
National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) executive director Undersecretary Ernesto Torres Jr., in a statement, underscored the importance of a shared vision for peace and development and urged all candidates to reject violence and embrace dialogue.
"We are living in a democratic society, and anyone has the right to run for office as long as he is qualified," he added.
Torres also said it is crucial for all Filipinos that the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), a designated terrorist group under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The NTF-ELCAC chief also touted the body's ongoing awareness campaigns that expose the deceptive tactics employed by the CPP and its armed wing, the NPA.
"We hope that our partners and stakeholders will continue to educate the public about the CPP-NPA-NDF's manipulative tactics. We want to ensure that those who serve our country do not believe in violent ways of resolving conflict," Torres said. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
