Filing of COCs for 2019 midterm polls starts

Candidates and their supporters flocked to the Commission on Elections  head office early Thursday morning on the first day of the filing of certificates of candidacy with two senatorial hopefuls registering early.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III was among the earliest hopefuls  who filed their COC on the first hour for start of filing. He was followed by singer Freddie Aquilar.

As to the schedule of activities for the midterm elections, Comelec released the calendar of activities in connection with the 2019 National and Local Elections.

Resolution No. 10429, promulgated on October 1, 2018, sets the Election Period from January 13, 2019 to June 12, 2019. Election Day will be held on a Monday, May 13, 2019.

Pursuant to Minute Resolution No. 18-0806, the Filing of Certificate of Candidacy is set from October 11 to 12 and from 15 to 17, 2018 from 8am to 5pm.

The Filing of Certificate of Nomination and Certificate of Acceptance of Nomination of Party-List Groups have also been set for the same period.

The Campaign Period for candidates for Senator and Party-List Groups participating in the Party List System of Representation is from February 12, 2019 to May 11, 2019.

Campaign activities, however, are prohibited on April 18, 2019 (Holy Thursday) and April 19, 2019 (Good Friday).

Meanwhile, the Campaign Period for candidates for Members of the House of Representatives and elective Regional, Provincial, City and Municipal Officials is from March 30, 2019 to May 11, 2019.

Campaigning is prohibited from May 12-13, 2019, which is also the period for the Liquor Ban. The Gun Ban runs for the entire Election Period.

From November 30, 2018 until midday of Election Day, the substitute of an official candidate of a political party or coalition, who died or was disqualified by final judgment, may file their COC, provided that the substitute candidate and the substituted candidate have the same surname.

The last day for all individuals who filed a COC to file their Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) is on June 12, 2019. — BAP/LBG, GMA News