Cebu City politicians filing their certificates of candidacies in the past elections.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Cebu City has already submitted a recommendation for an orderly and secure filing of candidacy this October 1 to 8, 2021.
Lawyer Chauncey Boholst, the North District election officer, said in a phone conference that they have met with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), and the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to discuss the possible set-up for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) for the 2022 elections.
Primarily, the Comelec Cebu City plans to close a portion of Osmeña Boulevard, from the junction of P. Burgos Street to the junction of Lapu-Lapu Street, where the Comelec District Offices are located.
Boholst said they recommended that barriers are placed on both junctions and security personnel guard the entrance and exit points so that only the candidates, their companions, authorized personnel, and the media can enter their offices.
Tents will also be placed along the road for the health checks and other processes prior to entry at the Comelec premises.
A media area will also be identified where members of the press may hold interviews after the candidates file their COCs.
The election officer said that supporters of the candidates will have to wait outside the barrier to avoid crowding the Comelec offices while candidates who will be filing together can only enter the Comelec offices a few numbers at a time.
Other candidates will have to wait out at a tented area along Osmeña Boulevard before being able to enter the Comelec offices for the filing.
Since candidates of some parties will most likely file their COCs together, they are also encouraged to bring minimal escorts.
“Gidiscourage nato ang atoang mga kandidato na magdala og escorts pero kung magdala man gani gyud, at most two lang ang escort nila. Kay naa man na uban nga magdala og member sa pamilya unya naay portion, naay tent para pud sa mga escorts,” said Boholst.
The election officer said that candidates or their escorts will no longer be required to present a swab test result as a vaccination card would suffice.
Candidates who are not feeling well are encouraged not to file their COCs personally.
Finally, the Comelec Cebu City hopes that candidates will serve as examples for practicing the minimal health protocols.
Boholst said that as the filing of COCs draws near, they will be releasing the guidelines soon when it is already approved by the police and other security forces. /rcg
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