Mayhem in filing COCs for barangay polls

EDITORIAL

It was mayhem in most Commission on Elections offices nationwide aspirants for barangay positions filed their certificates of candidacy(COCs) for the Oct. 28 barangay elections.

            

Some were not able to file their COCs particularly in urban areas like Baguio where there was only one logbook where they could register. Hundreds flocked the Baguio Comelec office and even camped in its vicinity as early as 3 a.m. but did not make the 5 p.m. deadline due to the long queue.

            

Basing from news reports, the scene was replicated nationwide. Aspirants were griping the Comelec should have had more logbooks and personnel to attend to them so they could register. They said Comelec officials actually work only during elections but couldn’t get the job right.    

Comelec officials meanwhile said a directive from their national office mandated them to register aspirants in only one logbook (per Comelec office.)

            

Couldn’t the Comelec have had more than one logbook for easier, faster and efficient registration of  barangay aspirants? Comelec Commissioner Grace Padaca said their local offices nationwide have received a total of 57,674 COCs for barangay chairmen and 467,196 from those running for barangay kagawad (councilors).

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Around 700,000 filed of COCs as of Thursday, the deadline for submission. The Comelec meanwhile warned those who have already filed their COCs against engaging in premature campaigning.

The Comelec’s legal department said they would start sending out notices to those who have put up posters prior to the official start of the campaign period.