A huge number of political candidates are set to file their certificates of candidacy for the 2025 national and local elections starting today (October 1, Tuesday) until October 8, the Commission on Elections said yesterday.
The Philippine National Police said 36,000 cops would be deployed to maintain peace and order during the COC filing period.
“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,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said.
Fajardo said security measures would be heightened and checkpoint operations would be intensified in strategic areas during this period.
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.
In Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said 1,389 cops will be deployed to enhance police visibility.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia said aspirants themselves must file their COCs or through an authorized representative. For party-lists, it can be filed either by the chairperson, president, secretary general or any authorized representative of the nominating party-list group.
During the filing of the COC, an aspirant will be allowed a maximum of three companions, except for those running for the senatorial race who can have a maximum of four companions.
Garcia said a substitution due to withdrawal of the original candidate is allowed only until the last day of filing of COC.
Substitutions beyond Oct. 8 are only allowed in case of death and disqualification of the original aspirant.
“No substitute shall be allowed for an independent candidate,” Garcia added.
The period for the filing of COCs for the Bangsamoro elections, on the other hand, was moved to November 4 to November 9, 2024 following the exclusion of Sulu from the autonomous region.
As this developed, Garcia said the holding of a special voter registration in areas affected by Typhoon Julian is up to local poll officials.
The typhoon lashed the province of Batanes and brought gusty winds and heavy rains in most of northern Luzon, prompting the suspension of the supposed last day of voter sign-up on Monday.
“Based on our guidelines, we leave the decision to the local Comelec. Later on, they can have a special registration after the COC filing. It’s up to them on when to hold the last day of the registration,” Garcia said.
“That is only proper because the lives and safety of the people and Comelec personnel should be prioritized,” he added.
Garcia also noted the success of the nationwide voter registration which started on Feb. 12.
“The voter registration was successful. We have a projection of almost 3 million and it was accomplished. It is just saddening because we have 5.37 million deactivated voters. We project the figure of voters to be at 68 million instead of 70 million,” he said.
He said the next voter registration might be in July or August next year, before the next Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Despite the bad weather on Monday, Davao del Norte voters still rushed to the mall to catch the last day of registration.
The Comelec held the last day of registration in City Mall Tagum to accommodate the expected long lines of people who want to register for the 2025 election.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Comelec kicks off 2025 Election season with start of COC filing.”
