Key figures in May 2016 polls lead week-long filing of COCs

(Updated 9:43 a.m., Oct. 12) Key personalities in the May 2016 elections are expected to highlight the week-long filing of certificates of candidacy at Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices starting Monday, October 12.

 

Vice President Jejomar Binay, the first politician to announce his presidential bid for 2016, has filed his COC at 8 a.m. on the first day of filing at the Comelec's main office at the Palacio del Gobernador in Intramuros, Manila.

His running mate Senator Gregorio "Gringo" Honasan filed his COC at the same time too. Binay and Honasan will run under the United Nationalist Alliance (UNA) ticket.

 

 

The LP is scheduled to unveil its full senatorial lineup and announce when they intend to file their COCs on Monday at its Balay headquarters in Cubao, Quezon City.

A list of the LP senatorial slate seen by GMA News Online on Monday showed a combination of veteran lawmakers, Cabinet secretaries, and one newcomer.

 

On Friday night, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte hinted that he may file his COC at the Comelec on October 15. The mayor has also yet to confirm if he is running for president.

 

There is still no word yet from the camp of Sen. Grace Poe when she will file her COC for president. She is running with vice presidential aspirant Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

 

Former TESDA chief Augusto Syjuco declared that he is also running for president during a gathering at a restaurant in Quezon City on Sunday.

 

Former ambassador and OFW party-list Rep. Roy Señeres has also announced an intention to run for president in 2016. He said he will run with a complete slate composed of a vice presidential and 12 senatorial candidates under the Partito ng Manggagawa at Magsasaka.

VP and Senate hopefuls
 

Vice presidential candidates are also expected to troop to the main Comelec office during the week-long filing of COCs from October 12 to October 16, Friday.

 

Aside from Escudero and Robredo, personalities who have declared their vice presidential runs include Senators Alan Peter Cayetano, Antonio Trillanes IV and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

 

Senatorial candidates are also expected to file their COCs at the Comelec's main office.


Incumbent Senator Vicente Sotto III said he will file his COC on October 14, the birthday of his best friend and Eat Bulaga co-host Joey de Leon.

 

LP's Francis Pangilinan said he may file his COC for senator on October 15.

 

Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao said he will file his COC for senator on October 16.

The candidates will be asked by the Comelec to sign an Integrity Pledge when they file their COCs.

READ: Full text of the Integrity Pledge

'Fiesta'

 

The Comelec said it expects a “fiesta” outside the Palacio del Gobernador beginning Monday, the first day for filing COCs.

 

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, however, said he is hoping the filing of COCs will be orderly and along the guidelines that the poll body has set for the procedure.

 

“We expect a ‘fiesta’ but which we hope will be more orderly this year because of the innovations we’re introducing, such as setting up of TV monitors, and having a separate venues for media interviews of the candidates,” he said in a text message Sunday.

 

Unlike in previous occasions, only three guests can accompany a national candidate in filing his or her COC. Other supporters would have to monitor the proceedings on the two LCD monitors set up outside the Palacio del Gobernador.

 

The Philippine National Police will deploy policemen around the Comelec compound to secure the event.

 

Bautista and other officials have been preparing the Comelec compound since Saturday.

 

18,000 positions

 

A total of 18,069 elective positions will be up for grabs in the May 9, 2016 elections, according to Comelec Resolution No. 9982, promulgated last August 18.

 

Aside from the presidency and vice presidency, expected to be filled in the upcoming polls are the posts for:

 

12 senators

58 party-list representatives

235 district congressmen

81 governors

81 vice governors

772 members of Sangguniang Panlalawigan

144 city mayors

144 city vice mayors

1,610 city councilors

1,490 municipal mayors

1,490 municipal vice mayors

11,924 municipal councilors

1 Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor

1 ARMM vice governor

24 ARMM assemblymen

 

In accordance with Comelec Resolution No. 9984, candidates for president, vice president and senator are required to file their COCs with the Comelec Law Department in Manila. Those running for district representative and other local posts should file their COCs with the office of the city or provincial election supervisor concerned.

 

Any COC filed with the incorrect office shall be deemed as not filed, while those filed via mail, e-mail or fax will not be accepted.

 

The COCs should be personally filed by the candidate or his duly authorized representative, who shall have a sworn and signed authority to file the document.

 

Appointive government officials who file their COCs and Certificates of Nomination shall immediately be considered resigned and must leave their posts on the same day, the Comelec said. 

 

COCs may be filed any time from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. —ALG/BM, GMA News