Comelec to require birth certificate for BSKE bets, future polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will now require the attachment of a birth certificate upon the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) for the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) and succeeding elections.

This was announced by Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia on Thursday, noting that this aims to prevent future cases of material misrepresentation and disqualification of candidacies over issues of citizenship.

READ: After Alice Guo mess, Comelec to publish COCs, Conas for the first time

“We want all certificates of candidacy to include a birth certificate. That is for us to check where and when a candidate is born to avoid issues of underage and citizenship,” Garcia told reporters in an interview. 

“They should prove where they were born and what their citizenship is through attaching a birth certificate,” Garcia added.

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

The filing of the COC for the BSKE will be held from Sept. 28 to Oct. 5, 2026. 

Garcia also said that this new initiative will serve as a preparation for the 2028 national and local elections. /das