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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Comelec issues guidelines to be observed during COC filing

Comelec issues guidelines to be observed during COC filing

Published Aug 20, 2021 05:35 pm

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has released the COVID-19 preventive measures, health and safety protocols that will be implemented during the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) as well as in the filing of certificate of nomination and certificate of acceptance of nomination.

Comelec/MB

The Comelec earlier set the filing of COC for the May 2022 polls from October 1 to 8.

In Resolution No. 10717 dated August 18, the poll body said the Commission shall limit in person presence in the receiving offices or venue for filing to allow physical or social distancing of at least six feet.

"For this purpose, aspirants for any elective office or their authorized representatives as the case may be, shall be allowed to be escorted by a maximum of two persons in the filing of COC/CONA, subject to the health and safety measures as herein set forth. Provided that aspirants for the position of President, Vice-President and Senators may be accompanied by a maximum of three persons," it said.

For party-list groups, the Comelec said, the Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination may be filed by any of the following: chairperson, president or secretary-general or any authorized representative of the political party, sectoral party, organization or ooalition and may be accompanied by one person.

It added that the presence of the respective nominees of the party-list groups "shall not be required." The Comelec said if a stricter quarantine category is imposed in a geographical area, the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination shall be an essential activity, subject to the guidelines of the Inter Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"In this case, the aspirant or the authorized representative of the aspirant shall be considered authorized person outside residence (APOR), provided that the aspirant shall not be allowed to be escorted by any other person during the filing of COC/CONA or Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination," it said.

The Comelec said an independent candidate, political party or accredited citizen's arm shall be allowed one watcher each within the premises of the receiving office.

Pursuant to the guidelines issued by the National Government, IATF-EID and Local Government Unit concerned, the Comelec said, the following measures shall also be observed: For aspirants for the positions of President, Vice-President, Senator, RT-PCR test or antigen test taken within the last 24 hours prior to filing of COC/CONA, indicating a negative result shall be required.

The RT-PCR or antigen test shall also be required from the authorized representative of the aspirants; chairperson, president, secretary-general authorized or representative of the PP, sectoral party, organization or coalition for the party-list system; companions of the aspirants and representative of the political party, sectoral party, organization or coalition for the party-list system; personnel of the Commission in charge of receiving COCS/CONAS and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination; the Organic Security Force personnel of the Commission; AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP); and all media personnel covering the event.

Except for aspirants who prefer to undergo RT-PCR testing or antigen testing in their chosen or trusted laboratories accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), the Comelec said, aspirants and their companions or escorts and all media personnel, the antigen testing of the following shall be at the expense of and provided onsite by the Commission: aspirants who do not intend to spend for or cannot afford antigen testing; personnel of the Law Department and Clerk of the Commission in charge of receiving COCS/CONAS and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination; Chairman's and Commissioners' Offices Personnel; Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Administration (ODEDA); Events Committee; Administrative Services Department (ASD); Education and Information Department (EID) Oversight Personnel; and AFP and PNP Security Personnel.

It added that the antigen testing shall be done in a space near the receiving office or venue for filing.

"Any person without negative antigen testing result shall not be allowed access in the receiving office or venue for filing," it said.

The Comelec said all persons shall be required to wear well-fitting masks (surgical mask, N95, KN95) that completely cover their nose and mouth; and face shields at all times, while inside the premises of the receiving office or venue for filing.

"Persons wearing cloth masks, with or without filter, as well as masks with valves shall not be allowed inside the premises, unless there is another layer of surgical mask, N95 or KN95," it said.

"Physical or social distancing within the premises shall likewise be strictly observed," added Comelec.

The poll body said all persons entering the receiving office or venue for filing shall sanitize their hands and pass through the foot bath.

"Further, the receiving office shall limit the number of aspirants entering the venue for the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination, taking into consideration among others, the space, physical set-up or layout of the receiving area, work force a given day and the 5 p.m. cut-off for filing," it said.

The Comelec said all persons shall be subjected to health checks including but not limited to temperature screening and accomplishment of Health Declaration Form issued by the Commission.

It added that any person intending to enter the venue for the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination, who registers a body temperature of 37.5C and above "shall not be allowed to enter the venue yet, and shall be advised to take a rest for five minutes before another temperature screening shall be conducted."

If the temperature remains unchanged, the Comelec said, such person shall not be allowed to enter the venue and shall be endorsed to the local health officer concerned.

"In case a person intending to enter the venue to file a COC/CONA or Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination is showing any of the symptoms for COVID19 or answered any of the questions in the Health Declaration Form with YES, such person shall not be allowed to enter the venue and shall be endorsed to the local health officer concerned," it said.

"For aspirant with COVID19 symptoms, the authorized representative of the aspirant may file the COC/CONA before the expiration of the period for the filing thereof, subject to the health. and safety measures," said Comelec.

The poll body said all persons permitted to enter the receiving office or venue shall strictly follow all safety and health measures imposed, as well as those imposed by the building where the receiving office or venue for filing is located, the IATF-EID and the Local Government Unit concerned.

All aspirants and authorized representatives of party-list groups, the Comelec said, shall bring their own pens during the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination.

"In order to expedite the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination and reduce wait times, aspirants and authorized representatives of party-list groups shall ensure that information in the certificates are properly filled-out," it said.

"All aspirants and authorized representatives of party-list groups shall immediately leave the premises of the receiving office or venue after the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination," added Comelec.

"Everyone shall be encouraged observe healthy hygiene to maintain healthy environment within the premises/venue for the filing of COC/CONA and Certificates of Nomination and Acceptance of Nomination," it said.

In the same resolution, the Comelec also said that the COC shall be filed by the aspirant personally or through an authorized representative with a sworn and signed Authority to File the COC.

"No COC filed by mail, electronic mail, telegram or facsimile shall be accepted," it said.

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