Comelec vigilant vs violence on Day 1 of COC filing

The Commission on Elections has a simple request to those filing their certificates of candidacies starting Tuesday: Don’t lose your temper. 

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said many candidates have already lined up outside Comelec offices even before the 8 a.m start of filing of COCs. Some, he said, even brought marching bands to give the filing a festive atmosphere.

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 “May banda banda, may tambol na…Sana naman ‘yung mga kandidato at supporters nila ay umayos sa mismong filing ng COC. Huwag naman ‘yung initan ng ulo, nagkakapikunan na nagreresulta sa mismong election violence,” he said.

The poll body has also set up satellite offices for filing of COCs in parts of Mindanao “because candidates cannot go to some areas that are controlled by another candidate.”

The Comelec chief said he does not expect a lot of candidates to file their COCs on the first day “because some candidates are still checking out their potential rivals in the elections.”

Just the same, he said Comelec has beefed up security preparations for the filing.

Number of elective positions to be voted for on the May 12, 2025 elections:

• Senators - 12

• Party-List Representatives - 63

• Member, House of Representatives - 254

• Governor - 82

• Vice Governor - 82

• Provincial board member - 800

• City Mayor - 149

• City Vice Mayor - 149

• City councilor - 1,690

• Municipal Mayor - 1,493

• Municipal Vice Mayor - 1,493

• Municipal councilor - 11,948

• BARMM Members of the Parliament - 25

• BARMM Party Representatives - 40

• TOTAL: 18,280