LAST-DAY RUSH. Candidates for various positions in Negros Oriental race to file their certificates of candidacy on Tuesday (Oct. 8, 2024), the final day of filing. Comelec records show 580 aspirants submitted their COCs from Oct. 1 to 8, 2024. (PNA photo by Mary Judaline Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – A total of 580 candidates filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) from Oct. 1 to 8, seeking 277 elective positions in Negros Oriental for the May 2025 midterm elections.
Data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Negros Island Region (NIR) on Wednesday showed that the aspirants include nine for the House of Representatives, six for governor, three for vice governor, 22 for mayor, 52 for vice mayor, and 435 for city and municipal councilor positions.
Negros Oriental comprises three congressional districts, six cities, and 19 municipalities.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-NIR regional executive director, clarified that all individuals who filed COCs are still considered aspirants until the official campaign period begins.
“Legally, they remain aspirants until the campaign period starts, as stated by the Supreme Court ruling in Peñera vs. Comelec,” Castillano said.
The Comelec has set the campaign period for national and party-list candidates to start on Feb. 11, 2025, while local candidates can begin their campaigns on March 28.
Castillano said official candidate lists and redacted COCs would be forwarded to the Comelec central office by Oct. 12 for legal review ahead of the official ballot printing.
The poll body will accept petitions for disqualification within 25 days from the final day of COC filing, allowing enough time to address any issues before candidates' names are printed on the ballots.
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia has instructed officials to prioritize disqualification cases to prevent confusion during the election period.
Castillano expressed confidence that the 2025 elections would avoid a repeat of the Roel Degamo against Ruel Degamo disqualification controversy, as Comelec is taking measures to prevent similar issues.
His comments came in response to concerns over the contested third congressional district race, where two candidates share the same first name.
The namesakes include incumbent Pamplona Mayor Janice Degamo, widow of the late governor, and newcomer Janice Teves Gaston, the aunt of former governor Pryde Henry Teves and ousted Rep. Arnolfo Teves Jr. of the 3rd district. (PNA)
