Comelec eyes 5 to 6 bets in Antipolo 2nd district special elex

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is expecting five to six candidates to file their certificates of candidacy for the March 14 special elections in the second district of Antipolo City.

Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia made the remarks Thursday as the filing of COCs for the special elections opened.

"Umaasa tayo na ito ay magiging matahimik bagamat tatlong araw lang naman ito," Garcia told reporters.

(We are hoping it will be peaceful even though it will only be conducted for three days.)

"Inaasahan natin mga lima hanggang anim o baka madami pa ang mag-file ng COC. Maganda po siguro na huwag na magpa last day. Habang maaga mag-file na tayo para mareview na namin kung may kulang na documents sa COC nila," he said.

(We are expecting five to six or more candidates to file their COCs. We are calling on them to not file on the last day. They should lodge their COCs at the earliest time so we can review their documents.)

The filing of COC will run from Thursday, February 5, to Saturday, February 7, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applicants may file their COCs at the Office of the Election Officer n Antipolo City.

Earlier, the poll body announced a special election will be conducted in the second congressional district of Antipolo City following the passing of late Representative Romeo Acop last December.

Acop, 78, passed away on December 20, 2025 after succumbing to a heart attack. His political party, the National Unity Party (NUP), previously said the Comelec is mandated by law to hold a special election to fill his House seat.

Budget request not granted

The Comelec previously announced it would require an estimated P98 million budget to hold the special elections. It also said it is set to request additional budget from the  Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for the polls as its current allocation for recall and special elections under the 2026 national budget is only P11 million.

However, the DBM did not grant the request for additional budget.

"Nakatanggap kami ng liham mula sa DBM na sinasabi na hindi kami makakakuha ng dagdag na budget," said Garcia.

(We received a letter from the DBM that our request was not granted.)

"Ibig sabihin ang Comelec ay gagawa ng paraan para makapag-realign ng pondo or savings upang magamit namin. Kapos po kami pero kailangan isagawa ang election at all cost. Obligasyon ng Comelec 'yan," he added.

(This means we will take steps to realign our budget. We are on a deficit but we need to hold the elections at all costs because it is our responsibility.) —AOL, GMA Integrated News