Despite the surge in the number of aspirants, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the first day of the weeklong filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) was generally “peaceful.”

“Napaka-peaceful at naging napaka-ayos nitong unang ilang oras ng filing ng candidacy (The first few hours of filing candidacy were very peaceful and orderly),” Chairman George Erwin Garcia told reporters during an interview in Quezon City.

Referring to reports from various local Comelec offices, Garcia stated that aspirants in some areas began filing their COCs as early as 4 a.m.

“Natutuwa tayo kasi ibig sabihin na pinagkakatiwalaan nila yung proseso at sistema at the same time, buhay na buhay din ang demokrasya sa ating bansa kasi maraming nag-ambisyon na maging barangay or SK officials (We are pleased because it signifies that they trust the process and the system [and] at the same time, democracy is very much alive in our country because many aspired to become barangay or SK officials),” he added.

Surge in aspirants

Garcia noted that Comelec did not anticipate the significant number of aspirants who would file their COCs on the first day.

“Subalit kumpleto naman yung aming mga forms, kumpleto naman yung aming mga dokumento na kailangan at the same time, naka-set up naman at organized naman yung ating mga tao kung kaya kahit hindi namin expected, naging maayos ang ating unang mga oras na nagpa-file ng candidacy (However, our forms were complete, our required documents were complete, and at the same time, our team was set up and organized so even though it wasn't expected, the initial hours of filing for candidacy went smoothly),” he added.

Concerns on the first day

While the first day of COC filing generally went smoothly, Garcia noted some issues encountered.

For instance, local Comelec offices reported that aspirants were using fake credentials and documents, leading to the rejection of their COCs.

Garcia said that in Manila, an aspirant submitted a fake document (birth certificate) in an attempt to prove that he/she was not “overaged.”

“Sinabi natin na dapat kumpiskahin yung mga pekeng papeles na iyan at pagkatapos ay fa-filan natin ng kaso yung nag-attempt pa din na mag-file niyan (We said that those fake documents should be confiscated, and afterwards, we will file cases against those who still attempted to file using them),” Garcia said.

The poll chief then reminded other aspirants who have yet to file their COCs to ensure that their forms are filled out; they are not “overaged” especially the SK candidates and they are registered voters.

Garcia also reminded the aspirants to ensure that their COCs are notarized. However, he pointed out that this can be done at the local Comelec offices and not necessarily through a public notary.

“Hindi po kailangan sa isang notaryo publiko kailangan ipa-notaryo or panumpaan ang kanilang COC. Ang lahat ng local Comelec ay autorisado na magpasumpa ng mga COC, wala iyan bayad (It is no longer necessary to have their COC notarized by a notary public or take an oath. All local Comelec offices are authorized to administer oaths for COCs, and there is no fee for that),” he added.

Aspirants, however, need to pay P30 for the documentary stamp.

Garcia also noted that while there were no “cases of premature campaigning” so far, some aspirants brought supporters with them.

The filing of COC will be until Sept. 2. The BSKE elections will be on Oct. 30.

The Comelec has announced that there are 672,432 positions to be filled in the BSKE.

Of this number, 42,027 are open for Barangay Chairperson (Punong Barangay); 294,189 for Sangguniang Barangay members; 42,027 for SK Chairperson; and 294,189 for Sangguniang Kabataan members.

Comelec data showed that approximately, there are 24 million SK Ballots for 15 to 30-year-old voters.

Meanwhile, there is a total of 67,839,776 barangay voters and 23,254,313 SK voters for the upcoming BSKE.

Comelec said there are 91,094,089 voters/ballots for 42,027 barangays in 148 cities and 1,486 municipalities.

For the 2023 BSKE, Comelec said there will be 823,539 poll workers to be deployed in 37,259 Voting Centers nationwide.