Congressional polls set for new districts

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that it would hold the first regular elections for congressional representatives in newly created districts in Southern Leyte and South Cotabato on Oct. 26.

“Pursuant to Resolution No. 10551, the first regular elections will be conducted on Oct. 26, 2019, for the representative of the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte, and the first and third legislative districts of South Cotabato,” the Comelec said in a statement.

The holding of elections for district representatives of these provinces was suspended to a date later than May 13, 2019, due to operational and logistical constraints, in view of the passage of laws reapportioning the legislative districts therein.

Republic Act No. 11198 reapportioning Southern Leyte into two legislative districts became effective on Feb. 19, 2019, while RA 11243 reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cotabato, thereby creating the lone legislative district of General Santos City, became effective on April 4, 2019.

The Comelec, in Resolution 10551, issued the guidelines and important dates pertaining to the filing of certificates of candidacy and nomination and acceptance by candidates of political parties or coalitions for electing the district representatives of the two provinces.

Political parties or coalitions may submit a new list of authorized signatories not later than Aug. 15, 2019.