COORDINATION MEETING. Commission on Elections (Comelec) 5 (Bicol) Regional Director, lawyer Ma. Juana Valeza (left) and Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon in a meeting at the Comelec regional office in Legazpi City on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024). Comelec-5 recorded more than 2,800 certificates of candidacy (COCs) filed. (Photo courtesy of Brig. Gen. Dizon's Facebook page)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) 5 (Bicol) recorded 2,877 certificates of candidacy (COCs) filed during the eight-day filing period that ended on Tuesday.
In an interview Wednesday, Comelec-5 director Maria Juana Valeza said all COCs would be collated and some information would be redacted before posting the list of candidates.
The poll body’s records showed 45 COCs were filed for members of the House of Representatives; governor -- 20; vice governor -- 17; provincial board member -- 122; mayor -- 286; vice mayor -- 251; and councilor -- 2,136.
Valeza said after the process, the list of candidates and redacted COCs will be posted on bulletin boards, websites, and social media accounts of their office.
"All our provincial election supervisors (PES) will go to Manila before Oct. 12 to submit the COCs to the law department for final determination of aspirants whose names will appear in the ballots and their political parties or declare independent," she said.
Valeza added that the Comelec's municipal, city, and provincial offices have a series of activities that must be complied with.
"Our election officers (EOs) will conduct election registration board (ERB) hearings, then recruit Department of Education Supervisor Officials (DESOs) and support staff, constituting members of the election board (EBs)," she said.
Valeza added that local candidates will have 45 days to campaign -- from March 28 to May 10.
"Since it's not yet campaign period. Free for all pa, wala pang bawal (It's still free for all, nothing is prohibited yet)," she added.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 reported that the filing of COCs from Oct. 1 to 8 concluded peacefully and in an orderly manner.
PRO-5 director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said this was largely attributed to the thorough preparations and close coordination with the Comelec and other agencies.
"Key measures included the maximum deployment of personnel, heightened police visibility, and active bike and motorcycle patrols in strategic areas. These efforts were complemented by intensified police operations across the region, which effectively mitigated criminal activities that could have disrupted the COC filing," he said.
He said the regional police remains committed to maintaining peace and security throughout the election season.
"The unit will continue to intensify its efforts, focusing on the implementation of proactive security measures, including community engagement and strengthened intelligence operations. These initiatives are in line with PRO5's mission to uphold an honest, orderly, and safe electoral process, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard fairly and democratically," he said.
The Bicol region is composed of six provinces with 16 districts and 114 towns and cities. (PNA)
