Comelec OKs use of COCs printed in 2017 for May SK, barangay polls

Eyeing a post in the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections? Don’t be surprised if your candidacy papers have an “October 23, 2017” date on them.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to use certificates of candidacy (COC) forms initially printed last year for the upcoming barangay and youth polls next month.

In a memorandum, Comelec law department director Maria Norina Tangaro-Casingal cited Comelec resolutions no. 10247 and 10196, which laid down the rules on the filing of COCs.

“The annexed COC forms in resolution no. 10196 dated October 2017 are the official COC forms to be used by aspirants during the scheduled filing of COC,” she said.

The poll body has scheduled the period of filing of COC forms to run from April 14 to 20.

Casingal noted that “nowhere in the said resolutions did it state that the COC forms are to be modified accordingly.”

“In view of these resolutions, there is no need to make any revisions, modifications, or alterations, such as changing the dates therein, to the forms concerned,” she added.

In addition, Comelec resolution no. 10248 has authorized the use of ballots, accountable and non-accountable forms initially printed for the October 23, 2017 polls for the elections next month.

Potential candidates wanting to run in the May 14 barangay and youth elections may download the COC forms from the Comelec website: www.comelec.gov.ph.

They may also secure a COC form from the office of the election officer in their city or municipality where they intend to run for office.   /muf