Editorial

Awaiting campaign period

        The filing of certificates of candidacy for the 2019 midterm elections, including local governments, concluded last October 17, unless there will be substitutions on the given dates if these would occur. At this time, the Commission on Elections is evaluating and screening the COCs filed throughout the country.

The Commission on Elections said they will immediately start the evaluation of the COCs as they need to screen thousands of them to include those from different parts of the country, hopefully this will completed by December 2018. 

Based on reports, the COMELEC has received 152 COCs for the senatorial race and 185 certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) at its main office in Manila. The filing was reportedly peaceful.

Submission of substitution for candidacy will only be until November 29, 2018. “Ang voluntary withdrawal pwedeng samahan iyan ng substitution of candidate. Kailangan lamang, kapartido mo ang magsa-substitute para saiyo. Hanggang November 29 iyan. After Novermber 29, involuntary withdrawal na lang ang allowed,” the COMELEC spokesperson said.

Campaign period for the senatorial candidates and party-list groups will be from February 12 to May 11, 2019. Those running for seats in the House of Representatives may start their campaign on May 11, 2019.

Per Resolution No. 10429, election period is from January 13 to July 12, 2019. The gun ban takes effect during this period. Unless ratified, election day will be on May 13, 2019.

By this time, the voting public is urged to use their right to suffrage wisely. “Hindi pa natin alam ang final list, pero may idea na kayo kung sino ang dapa tnating pag-aralan ang plataporma, ang ikinikilos sa gobyerno, sa pakikitungo sa tao. Dapat magdesisyon tayo ng tama para tama rin ang iboboto natin,” the COMELEC spokesman said.

By this time also, the police and military are assessing areas considered as “hot spots,” which will eventually be placed under COMELEC-control, the poll body having police power over these areas through deputization of security forces.

Of keen interest is the race for elective local government posts which, in some areas, would be hotly contested, especially on towns previously beset by election-related conflicts. We expect that martial law would take the intense election fever in the hot spots in Mindanao, especially the checking of loose firearms which would endanger the serenity of the campaign and election period.

By this time also, the electorate has a glimpse of names or personalities aspiring for elective posts in their respective local government units where election could be more intense than the Congressional and party-list race. It is best that this early the voters look on the credentials of the aspirants. Remember, service is paramount in wanting to seek governmental positions and this should be the guiding principle in the choice of political leaders.

Now we wait the campaign period.