Senate, House urge Comelec to reset COC filing period to Oct. 11–17, 2018

Both chambers of Congress on Monday adopted resolutions urging the Commission on Elections to move back the period for the filing of certificates of candidacy for the May 13, 2019 national and local polls.

Senate Concurrent Resolution 13 and House Concurrent Resolution No. 20 both ask the poll body to move the COC filing period from October 1–5, 2018 to October 11–17, 2018.

No senator objected to the passage of the resolution, which was introduced by Senate President Vicente Sotto III. It was initially referred to the Committee on Rules but Senator Joel Villanueva, who delegated as the majority leader at the time, moved for its adoption.

The House resolution was introduced by Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr.

No reason for the resetting of the filing of COCs was mentioned during the Senate session, but in the House, the postponement was urged "to enable members of Congress to fully attend to their legislative duties and meet the deadline for the filing of the certificates of candidacy for the 2019 national and local elections."

The House resolution argued that the 17th Congress is holding its session from August 28 to October 12, and will adjourn from October 13 to November 11.

At the same time, the Lower Chamber is likewise currently deliberating on the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 as well as other priority measures that need "utmost and undivided attention."

With these, the resolution said "it is imperative to reset the period for the filing of the certificates of candidacy to a later date."

The Comelec, in its Resolution 10420 promulgated on September 8, set the filing of COCs for October 1 to 5, 2018. — BM, GMA News