By Gabriel Kim Leal
(September 30, 2024) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday warned candidates that errors in the certificate of candidacy (COC) could result in serious legal consequences.
With the filing of COC for next year’s midterm elections beginning this Tuesday, October 1, Comelec chairperson George Garcia stressed the importance of accuracy.
“Dapat pinag-aaralan mabuti dahil kapag nagkamali kayo sa items na hinihingi namin, puwede kayong makasuhan ng misrepresentation at perjury. Dapat walang blangkuhan na item doon sa COC. At the same time, dapat notaryado,” said Garcia on One PH’s One Balita Pilipinas.
The filing of COC will end on October 8.
The warning came at the heels of criminal charges filed by the Comelec against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo for misrepresenting her name in her COC for the 2022 elections.
The National Bureau of Investigation discovered that Guo’s fingerprints matched those of a certain Chinese national, “Guo Hua Ping.”
Garcia reminded candidates to use the prescribed forms and ensure all required documents, such as a certificate of nomination and acceptance for party-endorsed candidates, are submitted.
Addressing concerns about premature campaigning, Garcia stressed that candidates will only be officially recognized as such at the start of the campaign period, citing a ruling of the Supreme Court.
Because of this, Garcia said expenses before the campaign period do not need to be reported in the Statements of Contributions and Expenditures. He said this could pose problems.
“Isipin niyo, gagastos na agad dahil maaaring magamit ang public funds at maaaring gamitin ang pera ng ahensya ng pamahalaan kung saan sila pinuno, tapos hindi sila kayang pigilan dahil sa technicality dahil ‘aspirants’ pa lang sila, hindi pa candidates,” said Garcia.
The Comelec is projecting around 68 million voters for next year’s midterm elections.
Garcia noted a significant increase in new registrants, with three million signing up last February. The over five million deactivated voters, however, remain a challenge.
(PM)
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