Comelec sets schedule for 2019 midterm polls

MANILA, Philippines — Six months before next year’s elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scheduled various activities and listed prohibited acts in connection with the May 13 polls.

The Comelec released yesterday the newly approved Resolution No. 10249 that set the election period from Jan. 13 to June 12, 2019.

But the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for those intending to run in the midterm elections will run from Oct. 11 to Oct. 17.  

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups will run from Feb. 12 to May 11.

Candidates for the House of Representatives and other local positions could campaign from March 29 to May 11.

The filing of Certificates of Nomination and Certificates of Acceptance of Nomination for party-list groups is set on Oct. 11,12 ,15 and 17.

Candidates are barred from campaigning on the eve of election day. The liquor ban will take effect on May 12 and election day.

The Comelec has also declared a ban against alteration of precincts or establishment of new precincts, carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons, use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, transfer of officers and employees in the civil service and suspension of any elective local officer during the election period.

From Nov. 30 until mid-day of May 13, substitution of an official candidate of political and coalition parties who died or was disqualified is allowed, provided the one replaced and the new candidate have the same surnames. 

Counting and consolidation of votes are set immediately after the election with the proclamation of winning senators, congressmen, regional and provincial bets expected to take place between May 17 to 19.

All candidates, whether they won or not, shall start filing the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures on June 12.

Meanwhile, the Comelec is not inclined to extend the voters’ registration period due to legal restraints.

“The request for extension faces serious challenge in light of this recent Supreme Court (SC) decision, precisely on this matter,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said yesterday.

Jimenez noted that the SC in December 2015 ruled against extending the voters’ registration period.

“The SC placed the registration process within the context of election preparations and concluded that the Comelec has sufficient authority to set the deadline, in view of the need to accomplish its mandate,” Jimenez explained.