Comelec issues sked, rules for 2016 poll candidates

The Commission on Elections has laid down the calendar of activities for the May 9, 2016, local and national elections.

In a resolution, the poll agency set the election period from Jan. 10 to June 8 next year.

The holding of conventions to select candidates for all elective posts is slated for Sept. 12 to 30.

The filing of certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for all elective positions is set from Oct. 12 to 16.

In a separate resolution, the Comelec said that candidates for President, Vice President and senator are required to file their CoCs at the Comelec law department in Manila.

Those running for the House of Representatives in Metro Manila should file their CoCs at the Comelec National Capital Region, also in Manila.

Candidates for representative in the provinces, as well as provincial officials, should file their CoCs at the office of the Provincial Election Supervisor (PES).

Those running for Congress in cities and municipalities should file their CoCs at the offices of the city or municipal election officers (EOs).

In the ARMM those running for governor and vice governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao should file their CoCs at the office of the ARMM regional director. Candidates for ARMM assembly should file theirs at the PES concerned.

“The CoC shall be filed by the aspirant or through a duly authorized representative with a sworn and signed authority to file the CoC,” said Comelec Resolution No. 9984.

No CoC filed by mail or electronic mail shall be accepted, the resolution said.

It said the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (Cona) of political parties should be submitted with the CoCs of their candidates, or the candidates risk being declared independent.

Party-list candidates

For party-list organizations, the Comelec said the names of nominees may be filed at the law department from Oct. 12 to 16.

The Certificate of Nomination (CoN) of party-list nominees should be accompanied by a Certificate of Acceptance (CoA).

The poll body stressed that those filing CoCs and CoNs shall be immediately considered resigned and must vacate their posts the same day.

“Any person holding a public appointive position, including active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other officers and employees in government-owned and -controlled corporations, shall be considered resigned from the office and must vacate the same at the start of the day of the Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance,” the resolution said.

On the other hand, elected officials will not be deemed resigned from their posts despite filing their CoCs.

Campaign period

The campaign period for candidates for President, Vice President, senator and party-list representative is from Feb. 9 to May 7.

On the other hand, the campaign period for candidates for the House of Representatives, and regional, provincial, city, municipal officials is from March 25 to May 7.

Filipino overseas workers may vote from April 9 to May 9.

The Comelec has scheduled local absentee voting from April 27 to 29.

Candidates should file their sworn Statements of Election Contributions and Expenditures 30 days after the May 9 elections. The last day for filing is June 8.

The Comelec resolution listed the prohibited acts during the election and campaign periods, as well as on election eve and on election day.

The poll body also scheduled other election-related activities, such as the periods for filing petitions for inclusion and exclusion of voters.

According to Comelec Resolution No. 9982, there are 18,069 posts to be contested, including for President and for Vice President.–Tina G. Santos