Comelec’s Garcia: Initial filing of COCs for 2023 BSKE ‘peaceful’

The start of the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections has been peaceful so far, Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia said Monday.

“Napaka-peaceful po. Alam ninyo, alas kuwatro pa lang ng madaling araw may mga nakapila na sa iba’t-ibang lugar para mag-file ng certificates of candidacy. Natutuwa tayo. Ibig sabihin lang, pinagkakatiwalaan nila ang proseso at sistema. At the same time, buhay na buhay din ang demokrasya sa ating bansa dahil napakaraming nag-aambisyon na maging barangay official or SK officials,” Garcia said in an ambush interview at Amoranto Sports Complex in Quezon City.

[It was very peaceful. As early as 4 a.m., there were those who were lined up to file their certificates of candidacy. I am happy. This means, they trust our process and our system. This shows that democracy is alive in our country since there are so many vying to become barangay or SK officials.]

“Hindi lang sa paglilibot yung report sa atin mula sa iba’t-ibang opisyal from the field, lalo na sa Mindanao naging napakamaayos itong unang ilang oras sa ating filing ng candidacy,” he added.

[Not only are we basing our report from our field officials, even in Mindanao, it went smoothly during the initial hours of the filing of COCs.]

The Comelec chief said they did not anticipate the huge number of COC filers on the first day of the filing period.

“Bagamat aaminin natin hindi naming ina-anticipate ‘yung ganito kadami kaagad ang magpa-file ng candidacy sa unang araw, subalit kumpleto naman ang aming mga forms, kumpleto naman ang aming dokumento na kailangan, at the same time, naka-set up naman at organized naman ang ating mga tao kaya kahit hindi naming expected, naging maayos ang ating unang oras at mga oras ng pagpa-file ng candidacy,” he said.

[We did not anticipate that there would be so many filers on the first day. The forms were complete, even the needed documents, and at the same time, we have set up properly and our people were very organized.]

To fill up around 624,000 positions for the 2023 BSKE, Garcia said they are anticipating around 2 million COC filers within the filing period.

The Comelec chief said they are expecting an intense election in October 2023 as the outgoing barangay and SK officials have already served for a long time since the village and youth council polls have been postponed several times already.

Fake documents

Meanwhile, Garcia has warned those who will present fake documents upon filing their COCs.

On the first day of the COC filing, Garcia shared that there was a candidate who submitted a fake birth certificate even though the individual was deemed over aged for the position that he or she is running for.

“Meron d’yan sa Maynila, may nakita pa nga na mga fake na mga dokumento. Kaya sinabi natin dapat kumpiskahin ang mga pekeng papel na ‘yan at pagkatapos ay pa-file-an natin ng kaso ‘yung nag-attempt pa rin na nag-file n’yan. Akala po kasi nila hindi naming ika-counter check at akala ganon kami magiging maluwag sa pagfa-file ng COC,” he said.

[There was one in Manila where we discovered a submission of fake documents. The fake documents were confiscated and we will file the appropriate complaint. They thought we would not be counter-checking their documents and they thought we would be laxed during the filing of COCs.] 

“Yung mga birth certificate para lang patunayan na sila ay hindi overaged, magpo-produce ng birth certificate, muli, sa mga hindi pa nagpa-file ng COCs, wala kaming pakialam sa birth certificate ninyo. Ang pagbabasehan naming yung record ng Comelec—‘yung voters registration record sapagkat kayo mismo ang nag-accomplish non… ‘Yun ang basis namin para alamin kung ikaw ay of age or overaged,” he added.

[There are those who produce birth certificates to prove they are not overaged. But to those who have not filed yet their COCs, what we will use as basis for your age will be your voters registration record.]

Further, Garcia said that they will not accept incomplete COCs and filers who are overaged and are not registered voters.

The Comelec chief likewise reiterated his warning against premature campaigning.

“Kanina merong mga iilan na sumama at sinasamahan ang mga kandidato nung mga sumusuporta sa kanila. Sabihin na nating grupo-grupo. Nakikita natin yan. Pero sana pagkatapos nilang manggaling sa bawat lugar kung saan sila nagpa-file ng candidacy, sana uwi na muna sa bahay,” he said.

[We noticed that there were groups who tagged along with the candidates. We hope after that, they went home straight.]

“Hindi rin kayo maalala ng mga botante kahit umikot kayo ng umikot at umikot. Maalala kayo ng botante sa October 19 to 28. D’yan kayo mangampanya. Ngayon, kapag umikot kayong lahat magastos,” he added. 

[You won't be remembered even if you go around this early. You will be remembered by the voters on October 19 to 28. If you go around this early, it would just entail additional cost.] — RSJ, GMA Integrated News