The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the start of the filing of the certificates of candidacy (COC) for the May 2022 polls was off to a good start.
In a press briefing on Monday,Oct. 1, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said they did not receive any report of untowars incident from their regional offices.
"Every office seems to have been very prepared," he said at the Sofitel Tent in Pasay City, the venue for the filing of COCs for national positions.
Jimenez said the venues for the filing were able to open at 8 a.m
He added that health and safety protocols with the most part were strictly observed within the filing venues, candidates have observed house rules, and no significant congregations outside the Comelec offices.
Jimenez, however, said that they received a report that a Comelec staff in Batangas was found to be positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"He was immediately isolated and referred to the DOH together with the closed contacts," he said.
But over all, Jimenez said, the first day of the filing of COC has been very "peaceful and organized."
"Comelec is hopeful that our stringent preparations will prepare us for any eventuality, but remain confident that we are off to a good start," he said.
The COC filing period is from Oct. 1 to 8.