EARLY BIRDS. Two members of the Philippine National Police secure the Commission on Elections-Cebu City north and south offices in downtown Cebu City on the first day of filing of the certificate of candidacy on Tuesday (Oct. 1, 2024). Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia said during the National Information Summit 2024 in Tagaytay City that COCs would be posted on their official website two weeks after the deadline for filing on Oct. 8. (PNA file photo by John Rey Saavedra)
CEBU CITY – Early birds flocked to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices on Tuesday to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the mid-term elections next year.
Among them was Governor Gwendolyn Garcia’s brother, Pablo John, who is seeking reelection as congressman for Cebu’s third district, and taxi driver Abraham Alcontin Verdida, 57, from Labangon, Cebu City who aspires to be elected as Cebu City south district councilor.
Marchel Sarno, election officer for Cebu City south, advised aspirants to bring complete documents to avoid hitches during the filing of their COCs.
“They must bring ID pictures, their five copies of COC must be notarized, and must have PHP30 worth of documentary stamps,” Sarno told the media here.
Ambongan Abillar, Cebu City north election officer, said supporters are not allowed to accompany the aspirants in filing the COC to avoid overcrowding in the office.
The Comelec posted in every election office the “Panata Para sa Malinis, Marangal at May Dignidad na Kampanya sa Halalang 2025,” reminding aspirants to uphold the rule of law, to focus on the platforms in the campaign, and avoid mudslinging.
Two weeks after the deadline of filing of COC on Oct. 8, the Comelec will post on its official website all the copies of the COC so that the voters will have an opportunity to know their candidates for the mid-term polls.
Annafleur Gujilde, Mandaue City's election officer, said that voters from Mandaue City will be allowed to elect, for the first time, its representatives to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, following a Supreme Court decision.
Despite becoming a lone district in 2022, Mandaue City still voted for Provincial Board members representing the 6th district of Cebu that includes the towns of Consolacion and Cordova during the last elections.
“Mandauehanons will also continue to vote for governor and vice governor unlike its neighboring highly urbanized city of Lapu-Lapu,” she added. (PNA)
