Comelec defers ruling on petition to reopen COC filing

MANILA – The seven-member panel of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday discussed the petition by Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) to reopen the period for filing certificates of candidacy (COCs).

Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the Commission en banc was able to tackle the matter but has not issued a ruling.

“The en banc deferred resolution of the petition for the reopening of the period for filing COCs. It is expected that the matter will be resolved next week, with all points raised by the petition being squarely addressed,” he said in a statement.

On the other hand, Jimenez said the petition to postpone the May 2022 polls, which was sought by Coalition for Life and Democracy was not discussed.

“The petition to postpone elections has not yet been taken up. The matter may be calendared for next week’s en banc,” he added.

Last December 31, the PDP-Laban faction led by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi filed a petition before the poll body seeking to reopen COC filing period and to postpone the printing of the ballots.

The political party opined that the period of filing of COCs should have been 9 January 2022, at the earliest, and 7 February and 24 March 2022, for candidates for national and local positions, respectively, at the latest.

The party also would like the poll body to resolve all the pending cases of aspirants in the May 2022 polls first before proceeding with the printing of the official ballots which is set to start on January 15.

Last month, the Coalition for Life and Democracy urged the Comelec to postpone the May 2022 elections due to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

On Tuesday, the group called anew the attention of the poll body to already act on their petition.