What are the requirements, process for COC filing?

IN 2025, eligible Filipino voters will elect a new batch of leaders who they believe can make positive changes in the country.

The Philippines is a step closer to #BotoNgKabataan2025 midterm elections, as the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) is now on its fourth day on October 4, Friday.

This period is a crucial part of the election process as this is when aspiring candidates formalize their intention to run for government office. 

They can only submit their COCs from October 1 to 8, 2024. But before doing so, here are some reminders for the COC filing:

Requirements

No individual will be allowed to run for an elective post if they do not submit their sworn COC before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

The poll body prepared different COCs for national and local positions. The form contains some personal information about the aspiring candidate, such as their name, age, civil status, citizenship, home address, and signature, among others.

According to Comelec’s Resolution No. 11045, the COC must be “sworn to before a notary public or any official authorized to administer oath.”

Aspiring candidates must attach a passport-size photograph taken within the last six months and a P30 documentary stamp. If the P30 documentary stamp is not available, they will be required to affix two P15 documentary stamps to their COCs.

Five legible copies of the COC shall be submitted before the Comelec, together with the certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) if applicable.

A CONA is submitted by an aspirant who is part of a political party or a coalition duly registered and accredited by the poll body.

The Comelec advised aspirants not to leave blank entries and indicate “N/A” if an entry is not applicable. 

At present, the Comelec only requires aspiring candidates to submit notarized and accomplished COCs, which means other government documents like birth certificates are not needed when filing for candidacy.

“Ang birth certificate po kasi ay hindi required na i-submit. Wala pong dagdag na naka-attach sa isang certificate of candidacy maliban sa CONA,” Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia said during a press conference on October 3.

He continued, “Bawal po kaming magpadagdag ng kahit anong dokumento na hindi naman nire-require ng batas.”

Filing process

The Comelec set up different venues for the COC filing, depending on the elective positions the aspiring candidate is running for.

For example, senatorial and party-list group aspirants shall file their COCs with the Comelec’s law department at the Manila Hotel Tent City in Ermita.

Senatorial and party-list group hopefuls will need to undergo a pre-evaluation process where they will present their COCs for initial screening. 

Once the COCs pass the initial screening, they will be formally received and documented at the receiving area.

Aspirants will then head to the back entrance of the venue to face the media. They will have a photo opportunity before going up to the stage to do a speech and be interviewed by reporters. Hopefuls may opt not to speak on stage and be interviewed by the media.

The last step is the signing of the “Integrity Pledge,” where they will commit to doing a fair and clean election campaign.

The Comelec has the “ministerial duty” to accept all COCs as long as they comply with the guidelines.

“Hindi naman namin tinatanggihan kahit sinong nagfa-file dito sa atin,” stressed Garcia. “Wala po kaming diskresyon na tanggihan dahil lang sa itsura ng tao, dahil lang sa demeanor ng tao, dahil lang sa pagsasalita ng tao.”

While anyone can submit their candidacy papers, this does not mean that their names will automatically be part of the official ballot.

COCs on Comelec’s website

The Comelec is expected to release the tentative list of candidates, whose names will appear on the ballot, on their website on October 29.

Garcia said they will also upload the candidates’ COCs, two weeks after the filing period.

“Sasabihin namin sa inyo lahat sino ang nuisance candidates kung meron man, sino ang legitimate candidate. At the same time, yung dalawang linggo na ‘yon maghihintay kami kung may magfa-file ng petition to deny or cancel candidacy,” he noted.

Those who will file the petition have 25 days after October 8, he added.

The poll body previously announced that it would no longer allow substitution of candidates due to withdrawal after October 8. 

Substitution will only apply to those who pass away or are disqualified. However, their substitute must have the same family name and political party.