Metro Manila, Philippines – Aspiring public officials will soon file their certificates of candidacy (COC) to run in the midterm elections on May 12, 2025.
A COC is a sworn statement of an aspirant seeking public office in the next election.
What do you need to know about the COC filing?
Who and when
Aspirants aiming to secure a seat in Congress, provincial, city and municipal government should file their COC on Oct. 1 to 8.
In the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao that will also happen on May 12, prospective district representatives of parliament can file their COC on Nov. 4 to 9.
An aspirant cannot seek two positions. A sworn statement of cancelation may be filed until Oct. 8 to correct the situation. Otherwise, the winning candidate is not considered elected.
Where?
An accomplished – notarized and stamped – COC is submitted to the offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
The following is the list of filing venues for the elective positions:
+ Senator, party-list representative – law department or other areas the Comelec en banc may designate
+ House representative in Metro Manila districts – National Capital Region Office of the Election Director
+ House representative in provincial districts – Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor
+ House representative of cities outside Metro Manila who have more than one district – Office of the Election Officer designated for the Regional Election Director
+ Governor, vice governor, provincial council member – Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor
+ BARMM Parliament representative – Bangsamoro Electoral Office through the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor
+ Mayor, vice mayor in cities with more than one election officer – Office of the Election Officer of respective district
+ Council member of cities’ with only one district – Office of the Election Officer of respective city
+ Municipal mayor, vice mayor, and council members – Office of the Election Officer of respective municipality
Voters will elect:
+ 12 senators
+ 254 district representatives
+ 63 party-list representatives
+ 82 governors and vice governors
+ 1,682 city council members
+ 800 provincial council members
+ 11,948 municipal council members
+ 149 city mayors and vice mayors
+ 1,493 municipal mayors and vice mayors
+ 40 nominees of BARMM political party
+ 25 representatives of each district of the BARMM parliament
