Cebu City North District Election Officer Chauncey Boholst.
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Cebu City Commission on Elections (Comelec Cebu City) would appreciate it if candidates would inform the District Offices ahead of time when they would plan to file their Certificate of Candidacy (COC).
This is not a normal practice of filing COCs as the process is generally a walk-in procedure, but considering the pandemic and the probability of drawing crowds during the filing, setting an appointment will help reduce the risks.
Lawyer Chauncey Boholst, election officer of Cebu City North District, said this and that this was especially true for major political parties fielding multiple candidates with the intention of filing their COCs together on the same date.
“Maayo unta kung musulti sila kanus-a sila mofile. Sa una naa tay mga nakaestorya nga musulti when sila mofile. If it’s possible to them to inform us in advance, kanusang adlawa ug unsang orasa, aron maschedule nato nga dili magkadungan,” said Laywer Chauncey Boholst, the North District election officer.
(It would be great if they would tell us when they would file. Before, we have candidates who informed us when they would file. If it is possible to them to inform us in advance, what day and what time they will come to the office, so that we can schedule them and the cannot come in the office at the same time.)
The candidates are encouraged to call their respective District Offices to set a schedule for their filing of COCs so the District Offices and the security forces can prepare.
Aside from setting an appointment, if they can, candidates are encouraged to fill out the paperwork ahead of time.
Comelec Cebu City has already printed out copies of the forms and anytime, staff of the candidates can get a copy at the District Offices, or even print them online.
Filling up the paperwork will help hasten the process, as Comelec targets a three to five-minute processing time inside the District Offices for the filing because only two candidates will be accommodated at a time.
Other candidates will have to wait at a tent dedicated for them outside the District Offices while two candidates are inside the offices processing their COCs.
Due to these additional measures to maintain health protocols, Boholst encouraged the candidates not to bring supporters, live bands, or too many escorts so as not to violate social distancing nor disrupt the process.
Although no violation will be incurred for doing so, at least on the Comelec side, they may be liable for violating the health protocols set by the city government.
Boholst appealed to both candidates and supporters to respect and abide by the protocols for a smooth filing of the COCs.
The District Offices will be accomodating candidates from October 1 to 8, 2021, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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