ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Commission on Elections here rejected a Certificate of Candidacy filed by a mayoral candidate due to failure to meet requirements.
Comelec District Election Officer Jan Christian Babiera said they immediately rejected the COC filed by Gilbert Anore after finding out that he lives in Ipil, Zamboanga Sibugay and not in this city.
Babiera also said that Anore is not a registered voter in Zamboanga City and even voted in Ipil during the barangay elections last year.
Anore admitted that he is a resident of Ipil and explained that he decided to file his COC in Zamboanga City because he thought that he can file his COC in any place he wants.
He is one of less than 10 candidates who filed their COC for the 2025 polls in a local mall designated by the Comelec as temporary office to receive the document.
Babiera appealed to candidates to file their COCs early to avoid crowds during the last day of filing.