Comelec to require birth certificates for 2026 BSKE and future elections

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will now require the inclusion of birth certificates in the filing for candidacies for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) as well as in succeeding elections, its chairperson said Thursday.

In an interview, poll chief George Erwin Garcia expressed hope the additional documentary requirement will help address recurring election issues, including questions on candidates' age and citizenship.

"Gusto po namin na ang lahat ng kandidatura ng mga tao na magfa-file ng kanilang candidacy ay may kalakip na birth certificate," Garcia told reporters.

(We will now require aspirants to attach their birth certificates when filing their COCs.)

"Para mas makita namin, malaman namin kailan talaga ipinanganak ang taong iyan para maiwasan ang mga underage na nagfa-file at ang napakaraming kaso na nare-receive ng Comelec, o kaya naman ang issue ng citizenship," he added.

(This will help us determine if the candidate is underage and if they have issues on their citizenship.)

The move came following scrutiny over past candidacies, including that of former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, who was later found to be Chinese. Garcia previously said the Comelec holds a ministerial function in receiving certificates of candidacy (COCs).

"Hindi po naman pinagbabawal ng batas na magpa-submit kami ng birth certificate. Bakit? Kasi tinatanong naman doon kung ilang taon na siya at kung kailan siya ipinanganak sa kanyang COC. Hindi ba marapat lamang na patunayan ito sa pamamagitan ng paglalakip ng birth certificate?" Garcia said.

(The law does not prohibit including birth certificates. Why? Because they need to indicate their age in their COCs. Shouldn't they prove it with their birth certificates?)

The filing of COCs for the 2026 BSKE is scheduled from September 28 to October 5, 2026, while the elections will be held on November 2, 2026. — RSJ, GMA News