CEBU, Philippines — As the voters’ registration ends today, the start of the filing of the certificate of candidacy for the 2025 midterm elections begins tomorrow.
Comelec-7 Spokesperson Omar Sharif Mamalinta told The Freeman that they are ready to manage the possible influx of registrants.
The Comelec urged the people to prepare a valid identification and complete the necessary forms to avoid any delays or problems in the process flow.
The registration covers not only new voters but also those transferring from other cities or municipalities, those changing names, and voters reactivating their registration after years of not being able to vote.
“Kung kanus-a ang deadline diha gyud modaghan ang magparehistro. So hopefully, massive man among information dissemination, so were expecting nga ma-cater namo tanan ang magparehistro napud,” Mamalinta said.
He said that so far, the total number of applications processed from Feb. 12 to Sept. 28, now totals 371,529, with majority from Cebu and only 65,141 from Bohol, with Negros Oriental and Siquijor no longer part of Comelec-7’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, the filing of the COC, along with the certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA) for official candidates of political parties or coalitions, along with that of the party list groups begins today and ends on the eighth of this month.
COCs must be filed by the aspirants themselves or through an authorized representative while for party-lists, it can be filed either by the chairperson, president or secretary general or any authorized representative of the nominating party-list group.
Mamalinta said they have coordinated with their field offices across cities and municipalities to ensure smooth operations as well as to political parties here.
“Naghatag na mi’g copy sa mga political parties…so they are all aware about it. Wala na kaayo tay problema kabahin ana, for as long as mo-follow sila ato (regulations), ma- okay ra gyud na tanan,” he said.
The Oct. 8 deadline, however, does not include the BARMM parliamentary elections, which is set on November 4 to 9 yet.
Chekibam is no more
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, however, would not be one of those filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for senator, starting tomorrow, after Akbayan Citizens' Action Party (Akbayan) announced on Saturday that he will be their first nominee in the upcoming 2025 midterm elections.
Diokno, who recently joined the group, expressed gratitude to its members and leaders for their trust. He vowed to advocate for Akbayan’s progressive platform in the House of Representatives, if elected.
“It is an honor to represent Akbayan and push for its principles and buckle down on protecting the welfare of the Filipino people, upholding our democracy, and holding the corrupt accountable,” he said, in a statement.
Earlier, in his visit in Cebu together with former senators and fellow senatorial aspirants Kiko Pangilinan and Bam Aquino, Diokno expressed his intention to run for the Senate again.
Their Visayas supporters even coined their political campaign, as “CheKiBam” or Chel, Kiko and Bam. Senator Risa Hontiveros, whose term of office will end in 2028, was even with them stating that she needs “friends at the Senate.”
Akbayan, the political party of opposition leader Senator Hontiveros, has also confirmed that their current Representative Perci Cendaña is their second nominee.
Cendaña was recently sworn into office on Sept. 25 after the Commission on Elections proclaimed Akbayan as one of the winning party-list in the 2022 elections.
Diokno shared that his decision to accept Akbayan’s nomination followed a careful process of discernment and consultation, seeking the most effective way to serve the public.
“From the beginning, we carefully examined all possible avenues to best serve our people. After thorough reflection, we determined that running under the partylist system is not only a principled choice but also the most pragmatic path to effectively confront the forces of corruption and injustice,” Diokno said.
Though he is stepping away from a Senate bid, Diokno emphasized that he and Akbayan will continue supporting former senators Pangilinan and Bam Aquino.
“Akbayan remains steadfast in backing Senators Bam Aquino and Kiko Pangilinan. We fully support Senator Risa Hontiveros’ two Senate candidates, and as we campaign for them, we will also work to secure at least three seats for the party” Diokno said.
Diokno is the Chairperson of the Free Legal Assistance Group, the founding dean of the De La Salle College of Law, and is the son of human rights icon and late Sen. Jose "Ka Pepe" Diokno.
Cendaña, on the other hand, is a former commissioner for Luzon of the National Youth Commission, a known LGBTQI+ equality champion and leader, and a former hairperson of the UP-Diliman Student Council.
On the deadline for voter’s registration, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Edwin Garcia said there will no longer be an extension.
As huge numbers of people are expected to troop to Comelec offices to beat the deadline, the Comelec announced the suspension of issuance of the voter’s certification or voter registration record in all offices of its election officers in the country. (CEBU NEWS)