By Mae Singuay

Residents who wish to accompany their candidates in filing certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, are not allowed to enter the venue before mall hours.

Kathrina Trinio-Caña, officer of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bacolod City, said it was observed in the past that some political aspirants were with their supporters in filing COCs.

It was also noticed that their supporters happily cheered them, she added.

Comelec-Bacolod will start accepting COCs at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, August 28 until September 2, at a mall in Barangay Mandalagan.

Their office on San Juan Street in Barangay 12 will not accept COC filings.

Caña said that due to the limited area at their office, they needed to change venue to accommodate all political aspirants for the barangay and SK elections.

Under Resolution 10902 promulgated on March 22, Comelec released the list of activities and prohibited acts during the election period which will start on August 28 until November 29.

The campaign period will be from October 19 to 28, while election day will be held on October 30.

Caña has reminded city residents to refrain from committing prohibited acts during the election gun ban, which includes carrying firearms in public places./MS, WDJ