Comelec issues guidelines on COCs

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued the guidelines for the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for those intending to run in the May 2025 midterm elections.

In a 38-page resolution, the Comelec stressed that no person can run for senator, member of the House of Representatives or any local position unless a sworn COC has been submitted.

The COC may be filed personally by an aspirant or through an authorized representative from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8, including Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Aspirants who file a COC will be considered a candidate only at the start of the campaign period.

The poll body also said that unlawful acts of omission applicable to candidates would only apply upon the start of the campaign period.

During the filing of the COC, an aspirant shall be allowed to have a maximum of three companions. Those running for the senatorial race can have a maximum of four.

“When there are two or more aspirants for an office with the same name and surname, each aspirant shall need to state a paternal and maternal surname, except in the incumbent who may continue to use the name and surname stated in the COC when last elected,” the Comelec said.

The poll body also said that any COC filed with the incorrect office shall be deemed as “not filed” and that a substitution due to withdrawal of the original aspirant is allowed only until the last day of filing of COC. No substitute shall be allowed for an independent candidate. 

“No substitution shall be valid unless the substitutes file the COC and Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance,” it added.

Substitutions beyond Oct. 8 are only allowed in case of death and disqualification of the original aspirant. An aspirant of a duly registered political party who died or is disqualified may be substituted by a candidate belonging to and nominated by the same political party or coalition.

Any person holding an appointive position, including members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be deemed resigned from office upon filing of COC.

A certificate of nomination and certificate of acceptance of nomination of party-list groups shall also be filed from Oct. 1 to 8.