• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental is all set for the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) on Oct. 1 to 8 in line with the May 2025 national and local elections.
The COC filing is traditionally being held at the Provincial Capitol Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said on Monday (Sept. 23) that they will accept COCs from candidates even on Saturday and Sunday.
The Comelec provincial office accommodates candidates for congressman, governor, vice governor and members of the Provincial Board.
Candidates for mayor, vice mayor and councilor will file their COCs at the city and municipal election offices.
Ananoria said that while the filing of the COC should be personally done by a candidate, they will allow a duly authorized representative to file on behalf of the candidate, who has a valid reason for not being able to do so.
He reminded candidates to prepare the original five copies of the COC, duly notarized, along with a certificate of nomination and acceptance, if they are affiliated with a political party.
Ananoria said that fanfare will be allowed during the filing of COCs as long as it will not disturb the Comelec proceedings.
Meanwhile, leaders of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) in Negros Occidental have agreed to split the signatories of the COC of the party’s official candidates.
Negros Occidental Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson said that First District Rep. Gerardo Valmayor Jr. will sign the COCs of candidates under his district while he will sign the COCs of those running in the Second, Third, Fourth Districts and the Lone District of Bacolod City.
For the Fifth District, Isabela Mayor Irene Montilla will sign the COCs while Rep. Mercedes Alvarez will sign for those in the Sixth District.
Former Mayor Isidro Zayco will sign only for those running in Kabankalan City. | GB
