Comelec to candidates: Limit number of supporters during CoC filing

The Commission on Elections called on candidates filing their candidacies for the 2025 elections to limit the number of supporters with them at the venues.

According to Maki Pulido’s report in 24 Oras on Tuesday, police were deployed outside the Manila Hotel to request supporters to move away from the hotel’s facade as the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) kicked off.

The police said supporters can stay or hold a short program at the nearby Quirino Grandstand instead.

“Doon lang sila sa banda roon kasi unang-una makaka-abala sila sa loob kasi gumagamit ng microphone, megaphone…Pakiusapan lang po ito, siguro alam naman natin kung saan tayo lalagay,” said Ermita Police Station Commander P/Lieutenant Colonel Romeo Estavillo.

(They can assemble over there because they will disturb the event inside with their microphones, megaphones…We are just politely requesting them. I think they should know the proper place.)

The Comelec, however, said that they are yet to penalize rowdy supporters as the campaign season has yet to start.

“Ipakita niyo po na ehemplong kandidato kayo papunta pa lang sa filing ng COC,” said Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco.

(Show that you are a good example when you file your COC.)

The poll body also made the same request to candidates who will file at local offices.

“Mas maliliit ang kalsada mas gagawa ng traffic, kaya sana po huwag na dalhin. Tutal naman po paghain lang ito ng COC, may sapat na panahon po para makapakampaya at magpakilala sa ating mga kababayan,” said Laudiangco.

(The roads are narrower there so they would cause traffic, so please don’t bring many supporters with you. It’s just the filling of COC and there will be enough time to support the candidates during the campaign period.)

According to Comelec Resolution 11045, a candidate vying for a local post could only bring three supporters.

For national posts, aspirants could be accompanied by four supporters during the filing proper.

Philippine National Police chief General Rommel Marbil, on the other hand, told police officers not to be affiliated with any politicians.

“We make sure na apolitical po kami. Those people involved and biased, tatanggalin namin and we will file administrative cases,” he said.

(We make sure that we are apolitical. Those people involved and biased, we will relieve them from their duty and administrative cases will be filed against them.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News