Ousted Laguna governor to file COC today

LAGUNA, Philippines – Ousted Laguna governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito will file his certificate of candidacy (COC) today for the 2016 gubernatorial race.

Aside from Ejercito, five incumbent governors in Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) are expected to file their COCs.

Ejercito, who was found guilty of campaign overspending during the 2013 polls, and his wife, Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Ejercito, will file their COCs at the provincial office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Sta. Cruz.

Their supporters will first attend a mass at the Our Lady of Guadalupe parish before going to the Comelec.

Ejercito, whose campaign expenditure limit was P4.5 million, reportedly spent P23.5 million in 2013.

Northern Mindanao ready for COC filing

Meanwhile, the Comelec office in Northern Mindanao is ready for today’s filing of COCs.

Lawyer Renato Magbutay, Comelec regional director, said the poll satellite offices would be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Magbutay said the filing of COCs and certificates of nomination and acceptance (CONA) would be until 5 p.m. of Oct. 16.

He clarified that CONA is no longer required for independent candidates. Only those running under Comelec-accredited parties are required to submit the CONA.

“The tasks of election officers and supervisors are purely ministerial. We have no power to reject any COC with regard to its merit,” he said.

The official said only the Comelec en banc Manila could declare a candidate “nuisance.”

He said it is not necessary for politicians to bring with them all their supporters.

The campaign period for the local election will start on March 26 until May 7. – With Gerry Lee Gorit