MANILA — The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Tuesday, May 5, officially ruled out any extension for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for district representative aspirants in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). Comelec Chairperson George Garcia emphasized that the three-day window, concluding on May 7, is a fixed period that must be strictly observed by all political hopefuls.
The poll body chief underscored the logistical challenges and the critical timeline required to successfully hold the landmark Bangsamoro Parliamentary Elections (BPE) scheduled for September 14.
Any deviation from the current calendar could compromise the integrity of the preparations. “No extension. We have a very tight schedule already,” Garcia told reporters in a Viber message, noting that even minor delays could ripple through the planned election-related activities in the coming months.
Urging candidates to finalize their submissions promptly, the Comelec chief warned against the risks of last-minute filing. “The earlier [to file COC] the better. Avoid the rush,” Garcia said. The poll body’s stance reflects a commitment to maintaining a rigid schedule to ensure the first-ever parliamentary elections in the region proceed without administrative hitches.
On the inaugural day of filing this Tuesday, the Bangsamoro Electoral Office reported an initial turnout of 22 candidates who successfully submitted their COCs at various designated filing centers. This early participation marks the beginning of a high-stakes electoral process where voters will ultimately select 32 district representatives to sit in the BARMM Parliament.
Officials have reiterated that the Bangsamoro Electoral Office is fully operational to assist aspirants during this short window, provided they adhere to the established protocols and submission requirements within the three-day period.|
