MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reminded candidates, who already filed certificates of candidacy (COC) in the last May 13 mid-term elections, to file anew their COCs for vacant House of Representatives seats of the reapportioned Southern Leyte and South Cotabato legislative districts.
The poll body has issued Resolution No. 10551, which requires the May 13 poll aspirants to resubmit their COCs if they want to run in the special polls set on October 26, 2019.
"The COCs for member of House of Representatives for the Lone Legislative District of Southern Leyte and First Legislative District of South Cotabato that were filed in connection with the May 13, 2019 elections shall not be considered as filed for purposes of the October 26, 2019elections," said the Order promulgated on July 24.
The Comelec earlier suspended the elections for members of House of Representatives in the two provinces to a later date due to operational and logistical constraints, following the passage of Republic Act No. 11198 which divided Southern Leyte into two legislative districts.
Another law, RA 11243, was also passed reapportioning the first legislative district of South Cobatato that created the separate legislative district of General Santos City.
The filing period of COCs in the upcoming special elections will be from August 26 to 28.
The COCs may be filed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first and second legislative districts of Southern Leyte; at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor for those running in the first district of South Cotabato; and at the Office of the Election Officer for those running in the legislative district of General Santos City.
The aspirants are required to accomplish and file a sworn COC in the form prescribed by the poll body. (PNA)
