Comelec urges Antipolo congressional aspirants to file COCs early

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday urged congressional aspirants in Antipolo City’s second district to submit their certificates of candidacy early for timely review.

Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia made the statement as the filing period for COCs for the special elections runs from February 5 to 7. The polls are scheduled for March 14, 2026, following the death of Rep. Romeo Acop.

READ: COC filing for Antipolo’s 2nd district special poll set Feb. 5 to 7

“Comelec is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accept COCs. It’s better not to wait until the last day, so we can review the documents early and check if anything is missing,” Garcia said in Filipino in an interview.

He added that Comelec expects the special elections to be peaceful and orderly, even though only five to six COCs are anticipated during the filing period.

In a Viber message to the media, he said one undisclosed aspirant had already filed a COC as of posting time.

When asked if the elections would push through with only one COC, Garcia said yes.

“An election must be held. Even if there is only one voter who may vote for themselves, the candidate can still be proclaimed. It does not automatically mean the election will be canceled if only one COC is filed,” Garcia said in Filipino.

Reminders

The election period will run from February 12 to March 29, 2026. The following activities are prohibited during this time:

• Alteration of the 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

• Fundraising through dances, lotteries, cockfights, etc.

• Vote-buying and vote-selling

• Coercing, threatening, intimidating, or terrorizing any election official performing their election functions

• Illegal release of prisoners before and after elections

• Organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces

• Suspension of local elective officials

The Comelec also bans the following activities during the campaign period from February 12 to March 12:

• Removing, destroying, tampering with, or preventing the distribution of lawful election materials

• Posting, displaying, and 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, the poll body warned that the following activities are not allowed from February 12 to March 13:

• Release or disbursement of public funds

• Construction of public works and issuance of treasury warrants or similar devices for a future undertaking chargeable against public funds

• Appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of positions, promotion of employees

READ: DBM: Comelec can use existing funds for Antipolo special polls

The poll body also banned the release of public funds, including those for the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations, Ayuda para sa Kapos ang Kita Program, and Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, except for medical and burial expenses, from March 4 to 13.

“Any social services implemented in the 2nd district should be coordinated with us for the proper exemption. If not, we will file charges, as we do in criminal cases, and there may be administrative consequences,” Garcia said in Filipino /mcm