Submit copy of COC to BIR, bets told

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines — Candidates should prepare a copy of their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for submission to the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), according to an election officer.

Marino Salas, Pangasinan election supervisor, said candidates are required to submit their COCs to the BIR under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law.

Salas said the new requirement was implemented during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections last May.

He said candidates should expect a letter from the BIR asking for a copy of their COCs.

Salas also reminded those who will file their COCs to ensure that it was notarized, with a documentary stamp and signed.

“They must review the information required,” Salas said.

The deadline for filing of COCs is on Wednesday.

Ate Vi seeks reelection

Meanwhile, Batangas sixth district representative Vilma Santos-Recto was among those seeking reelection who filed their COCs on Friday.

The former governor was accompanied by her husband Sen. Ralph Recto when she filed her COC.

Albay Rep. Joey Salceda filed his COC to seek reelection.

Albay Gov. Al Francis Bichara and outgoing Vice Gov. Harold Imperial both filed their COCs for governor.

ER Ejercito running again

In Laguna, ousted governor Emilio Ramon “ER” Ejercito is running to regain his post.

Ejercito will be pitted against Gov. Ramil Hernandez, who assumed the post of governor in July 2014.

The Comelec unseated Ejercito for overspending in the 2013 elections.

Ejercito spent more than P23 million for his campaign, which was in excess of the allowed P4.5 million or P3 per voter, the poll body said.

Cebu third district representative Gwendolyn Garcia filed her COC for governor.Her brother Paolo John is vying for the seat in Congress that she will vacate.

The ombudsman dismissed Garcia after she was found guilty of grave misconduct in connection with the provincial government’s purchase of a property in Naga City in Cebu when she was governor. – With Celso Amo, Ed Amoroso, Le Phyllis Antojado/The Freeman