MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has imposed restrictions on the number of companions that candidates may bring when filing their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the upcoming 2025 midterm elections. The decision, detailed in Resolution No. 11045, was released by the poll body on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, this measure is aimed at preventing overcrowding in venues where COCs will be filed. The resolution specifies that aspirants for any elective office or their authorized representatives will be allowed to bring a maximum of three persons during the filing process. Candidates for senatorial positions may be accompanied by up to four individuals.
The Comelec also provided guidelines on where candidates should file their COCs. Aspirants for senatorial posts and party-list representatives must submit their COCs and Certificates of Acceptance of Nomination (CON-CAN) at the Comelec Law Department in Intramuros, Manila, or at another venue as designated by the Commission En Banc.
For those running for local positions such as governor, vice governor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Board), COCs must be filed at the respective Offices of the Provincial Election Officer (OPES). Similarly, candidates for mayor, vice mayor, and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod or Bayan (city or town council) are required to file their COCs at the Offices of the Election Officer (OEOs) in their respective localities. Meanwhile, individuals seeking election to the House of Representatives must submit their COCs to the Office of the Regional Election Director (ORED), OPES, or OEOs, depending on their constituency.
The Comelec further reiterated that each party-list must nominate 10 individuals, from whom representatives will be chosen should the party-list secure the necessary votes. Nominations with fewer than 10 nominees will not be accepted or recognized by the Commission.