Only 14 aspirants so far file COCs for first BARMM parliamentary polls

MANILA, Philippines — Only 14 aspirants formalized their bids to represent their districts during the first two days of filing for certificates of candidacy (COCs) in the first-ever Bangsamoro parliamentary polls.

This total was recorded by all Commission on Elections (Comelec) offices in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as of 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, according to Comelec chief George Erwin Garcia.

Of these parliamentary district aspirants, Garcia said five were in Lanao del Sur, four in Basilan, two each in Tawi-tawi and Maguindanao del Sur, and one in Maguindanao del Norte.

About 65 seats are up for grabs for the upcoming autonomous polls, of which 25 are allotted for parliamentary district representatives.

READ: COC filing begins for BARMM elections despite postponement calls

The rest or 40 seats are reserved for regional parliamentary political parties, which is similar to the party-list system.

The COC filing for BARRM polls began on Nov. 4 and will last until Nov. 9.

READ: Zubiri warns of possible backlash if Barmm polls postponed