Comelec logs over 120K candidates for BSKE in Bicol

By Connie Calipay

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Commission on Elections-5 (Bicol) reported on Monday that more than 120,000 individuals have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.

In an interview, Comelec-Albay Election Supervisor Ma. Aurea Bo-Bunao said the COCs filed will be subjected to final verification and validation by their office.

“All Comelec offices in the 15 towns and three cities in the province of Albay will submit the list of COCs filed to Albay Comelec Provincial Office and then I will submit it to Comelec Manila for a certified list of candidates. Our personnel will conduct a verification of every COC filed to ensure that the information provided is correct,” Bo-Bunao said.

She said 120,034 candidates filed their COCs for the 55,536 available positions in the 3,471 barangays of the region.

“A gentle reminder, once you file your COC, you are now bound to the election law. I hope they obey the law since they are aspiring to be the leaders of the barangays. The campaign period must be done from Oct. 19-28,” Bo-Bunao said.

The total number of candidates is broken down as follows: Albay -- 25,559; Camarines Norte -- 11,137; Camarines Sur -- 37,687; Catanduanes -- 9,624; Sorsogon -- 18,865; Masbate -- 17,162

The BSKE is scheduled on Oct. 30. (PNA)