Comelec opens filing of COCs for barangay polls

Commission on Elections Office   FILE PHOTO

MANILA,Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) opened its local offices Friday for the filing of certificates candidacy for the barangay (village) elections on October 28.

In a post on its website by the government-run Media ng Bayan, it said that barangay chairman and barangay councilor candidates were required by the Comelec to file their COCs before the City or Municipal Election Officers starting until October 17, except October 13, Sunday.

The village polls will push through despite the call by Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. to abolish the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan systems.

A total of  42,028 barangay chairmanships and 294,196 barangay council posts are up for grabs.

Meanwhile, Brillantes warned incumbents who have served three terms that they would be disqualified if they try to seek a fourth term.

“If you are a three-termer, don’t bother to file anymore. Even if you decide to file your COC, we will still disqualify you,” said Brillantes.

Appointed government officials, including the military and those in Government-Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), who intend to join the polls would be “considered resigned from office after filing their COCs,” according to the Media ng Bayan post.

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