The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Oriental said yesterday 13,069 individuals have so far filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from August 28 to 31.

Of the total 13,096 filers in the 557 barangays of the province, 956 are for the position of punong barangay; 7,442 for Sangguniang Barangay member; 826 for SK chair; and 3,845 for SK member, lawyer Eliseo Labaria, acting provincial election supervisor of Negros Oriental, said.

The number is still expected to increase until the deadline on Saturday, September 2, owing to the long queues at the filing venue, Labaria said.

He added that there will be no extension in the filing of COCs in Negros Oriental. Comelec has extended to Monday, September 4, the filing of COCs in the National Capital Region, Abra and Ilocos Norte following government work suspension caused by the weather disturbance.

On Saturday, Labaria said they will accommodate filers who are within the 30-meter radius of the Comelec registration desk even after 5:00 p.m.

“As in previous elections, those filers who have arrived at the site by closing time will still get the chance to submit their COCs provided that all requirements are met,” Labaria said.

A shopping mall in Dumaguete City is the venue for the COC filing in Negros Oriental. (PNA)