COC snatching in Negros probed

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is investigating reports about an alleged attempt to snatch the certificate of candidacy (COC) of a mayoral aspirant in Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental.

Vicente Genova told the Himamaylan police that one of two men who followed him to the Comelec office on Oct. 8 tried to snatch his COC.

Genova said both suspects were wearing black ball caps and denim pants. He said one them was wearing a black shirt and the other a sweatshirt.

The suspects fled when the incident led to a commotion, which was captured on video by one of the witnesses.

Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said the city election officer has filed a report on the matter.

Despite the incident, Genova managed to file his COC along with two mayoral aspirants. They will challenge the reelection bid of Mayor Raymund Tongson in the 2025 midterm elections.

Ananoria said 41 candidates filed COCs at the provincial level. He said the Comelec is still consolidating data collected from the province’s 32 municipalities and cities.

Poll candidates have been urged to register their social media accounts with the Comelec for authentication purposes.