The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded aspirants in next year's midterm elections to make sure that they have filled up the new Certificate of Candidacy (COC) form.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez made the reminder after an aspirant submitted an old form on the first day of the COC filing period.
“So in-advice siya (candidate) mag-fill up ng bagong form. ‘Yung lumang form kasi walang question number 22 (A candidate earlier filed a wrong form. We advised him to fill up a new form. The old form does not have question number 22),” Jimenez told reporters.
“Ngayon (Now), if you filed the wrong form, parang hindi nag-file ng COC (it is considered that you did not file a COC),” he added.
Jimenez is referring to the question which states, “Have you ever been found liable for an offense which carries with it the accessory penalty of perpetual disqualification to hold public office which has become final and executory?”
The poll body official, however, assured that candidates will be allowed to run as long as they file the correct COC form.
“Ma-delay lang konti proseso nila pero hindi po sila matatanggalan ng karapatan tumakbo (There will be a delay in the process but they will not be deprived from running) for the position they want,” the Comelec official said.
The COC forms may be downloaded from the Comelec website, http://www.comelec.gov.ph/?r=2019NLE/COC while hard copies of the forms are available in local Comelec offices.
The Comelec will accept COCs until October 17. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
