Comelec sets COC filing for BSKE on Sept. 28 to Oct. 5

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from September 28, 2026 to October 5, 2026.
This is in line with the Comelec Resolution No. 11191 dated January 28, which provides for the calendar of activities and periods of certain prohibited acts for the BSKE.
The BSKE will be held on November 2, 2026 after it was postponed last year.
During this period, the Comelec reminded that vote-buying and vote-selling are prohibited, which are considered as election offenses under the Omnibus Election Code.
The poll body also said campaigning is not allowed from September 28, 2026 to October 21, 2026.
READ: Comelec urges young voters: Follow your conscience, not others
The Comelec also set the election period from October 3, 2026 to November 9, 2026.
During this period, the poll body prohibits the following actions:
- Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct
- Bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places
- Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates
- Transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers
- Organization of maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces
- Suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officials
Meanwhile, the campaign period will begin from October 22, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
Comelec also bans the following actions during this period:
- Removing, destroying, tampering or preventing distribution of lawful election materials
- Posting, displaying, distributing illegal campaign materials
- Making any cash or in-kind donations
- Appointing or using special policemen or confidential agents
- Using armored land, water or aircraft
- Policemen and provincial guards acting as personal bodyguards of public officials or candidates
Aside from this, campaigning, selling or taking alcoholic beverages, and giving or accepting food or drinks are not allowed on November 1, 2026, or the eve of the election day.
The Comelec then reminded that casting of votes will be held from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on election day while counting and canvassing of votes will be conducted after closing the polls.
READ: Comelec to rescue voters’ registration third week of October
On election day, the voters and candidates are not allowed to do the following actions:
- Campaigning
- Using voter’s affidavit of another for the purpose of voting, whether they succeeded in voting or not
- Destroying, substituting or taking custody of any election form or box which contains official ballots
- Voting more than once or in substitution of another
- Soliciting of votes for or against a candidate within the polling place or within 20 meters thereof
- Selling, buying and taking alcoholic beverages
- Selling of merchandise or refreshments within 30-meter radius from the polling place
- Giving or accepting free food or transportation
- Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse race or similar sports /apl