The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now targeting to release the final list of candidates for the May 2022 polls on Jan. 7.

"Our target release of the official list of candidates is January 7," said Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said in a virtual press briefing Monday, Dec. 27.
"We expect the list to be finalized by January 7," he added.
The poll body was earlier targeting to release the final list before the year ends.
Jimenez said they expect all pending issues involving aspirants have already been resolved by then such as the petitions to deny due to course to the certificates of candidacy or declaration of nuisance candidates.
"All cases that can be resolved by the Comelec should be resolved by then," he said.
As for the disqualification cases, Jimenez said, this would take longer time to resolve.
"Other cases, like disqualification or issues that are more complicated, that would take longer time to resolve. Their names won't be removed," said Jimenez.
The Comelec is set to start the ballot printing on Jan. 15.