By Regina Elaine Vendivil

The week-long filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) has begun last Friday, October 1, 2021, for elective positions— presidential, vice presidential, senatorial, and party-list— at the Harbor Garden Tent of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila in Pasay City. 

Despite the situation of the pandemic in the country, the filing of candidacy still pushed through for the 2022 national and local polls in May with more than 18,000 elective seats open for the aspiring candidates.

The venue for the COCs filing had to be moved from the Comelec’s main office in Intramuros, Manila to Sofitel Manila in order to properly observe physical distancing and prevent COVID-19 transmission. 

In compliance with the implemented health protocols in the venue, aspirants are only allowed to have three companions, along with the media and Comelec officials who are all required to have a negative antigen test. 

According to the Comelec and police personnel, filing area adjustments inside the venue are to be made in case President Rodrigo Duterte or Vice President Leni Robredo personally files their COCs. 

“We will be coordinating with PSG (Presidential Security Group) to make sure that when they come, we will integrate the PSG into our security preparations,” said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez.

On the other hand, aspiring candidates Senator Manny Pacquiao and Buhay Partylist Rep. Lito Atienza were seen formalizing their presidential and vice-presidential bids on the first day of the election activity. 

Additionally, Senator Bong Go has filed his candidacy for vice president as he arrived in the venue today, accompanied by President Duterte.

Senator Risa Hontiveros and Sorsogon Governor Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero have also filed their COCs for their return to the Senate. 

Broadcaster Raffy Tulfo was also seen earlier during the day filing his COC for a senatorial seat as an independent aspirant. 

The official filing of COCs in the Philippines for the upcoming  2022 national elections will be open until October 8, Friday. 

References:

CNN Philippines Staff. (2021, October 1). Filing of 2022 election candidacy opens in PH. CNN Philippines. Retrieved from https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/10/1/Certificate-of-candidacy-filing-2022-elections-Philippines.html 

de Leon, D. (2021, September 30). Candidacy filing for 2022 polls begins in pandemic-ravaged Philippines. Rappler; Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/comelec-begins-filing-certificates-candidacy-october-1-2021 

Mendoza, J. E. (2021, October 1). LIST: Individuals, groups that filed COCs on first day for 2022 national elections. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1495615/list-individuals-groups-that-filed-cocs-for-2022-national-elections 

Mendoza, J. E. (2021, October 2). Raffy Tulfo files candidacy for senator. INQUIRER.net. Retrieved from https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1495983/raffy-tulfo-files-candidcay-to-run-for-senator

Rey, A. (2021, October 2). In surprise move, Bong Go runs for vice president. Rappler. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/bong-go-running-vice-president-2022