Comelec moves COC filing period to October 11-17, 2018

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rescheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2019 local and national elections to October 11 to 17, poll body spokesperson James Jimenez said Wednesday.

The original schedule for the filing of COC was October 1 to 5, 2018.

Jimenez said via Twitter that the new schedule excludes Saturday and Sunday.

This just in: the COMELEC en banc has authorized the re-scheduling of the filing of certificate of candidacies for the #2019NLE, to October 11-17, 2018, excluding Saturday and Sunday. On the last day, there will be no extension of filing hours. Please be advised.

— James Jimenez (@jabjimenez) September 12, 2018

"On the last day, there will be no extension of filing hours. Please be advised," he said.

On Monday, both chambers of Congress adopted resolutions urging Comelec to move back the period for the filing of COC to October 11–17, 2018.

The Senate resolution was introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III while the resolution at the House of Representatives was introduced by peaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr.

No reason for the resetting of the filing of COCs was mentioned during the Senate session, but in the House, the postponement was urged "to enable members of Congress to fully attend to their legislative duties and meet the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy for the 2019 national and local elections."

The House resolution argued that the 17th Congress is holding its session from August 28 to October 12, and will adjourn from October 13 to November 11. —KBK, GMA News