By Mariela Angella Oladive
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Iloilo City office is fully prepared to accept Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the 2025 midterm elections from October 1 to 8 at Cinema 5 of Robinsons Place Iloilo.
“Everything has been coordinated with Robinsons management and the Philippine National Police (PNP). We’re just waiting for the official filing date to begin. Instructions will be relayed to focal persons regarding the procedures,” said Jonathan Sayno, COMELEC Iloilo City Assistant Officer II, during a press conference on September 27.
Sayno outlined the guidelines to accommodate all candidates, including those filing at the last minute.
“If there’s a rush of candidates approaching the 4:45 p.m. cutoff on the final day, COMELEC will list those present, even if they haven’t submitted their COCs by 5 p.m.,” he said.
However, he emphasized that candidates arriving after 4:45 p.m. without being listed will not be allowed to file.
Each candidate is allowed three companions inside the venue, while supporters must remain outside.
Security measures, including body checks, will be enforced to ensure no campaign materials are brought inside.
Any noise disturbances that could affect mall-goers will also be prohibited.
In terms of security, especially for high-profile candidates, Sayno confirmed that filing schedules have been coordinated to make the necessary preparations.
“So far, only Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas has informed us that he will file on October 8. In case there are caravans, they will need to secure permits from the city. Our jurisdiction only covers the filing area,” he explained.
Regarding Iloilo City Lone District Rep. Julienne “Jam-Jam” Baronda, Sayno said her filing schedule is still being finalized.
“As of now, only Mayor Treñas’ COC has been reviewed by COMELEC for completeness and accuracy,” he added.
COMELEC encourages all candidates to review their documents beforehand to resolve any issues prior to submission. Isolation rooms will be available to prevent overcrowding in cases where multiple candidates file simultaneously.
Sayno also addressed the issue of potential nuisance candidates.
“Unlike the national level, where COMELEC can declare nuisance candidates to avoid cluttering the ballot, this matter receives less attention at the local level,” he said.
CAMPAIGN STARTS MARCH 28
The COMELEC Iloilo City office clarified that individuals who file their COCs are not yet considered official candidates until the official campaign period begins.
In the same press conference on September 27, Sayno explained that while the filing of COCs is a crucial step in the electoral process, candidates are only recognized as such when the official campaign period starts on March 28, 2025.
“Those who file are not yet considered official candidates. This means that if they put up posters now, it’s not yet considered a violation,” he said.
Sayno emphasized that COCs do not require formal approval unless contested through a petition. Petitions to deny due course or cancel a COC may be filed within 25 days of the COC filing. Grounds for disqualification include issues such as the candidate not being a registered voter, not meeting the age requirement, lacking Filipino citizenship, or residency qualifications.
