An aspirant has filed the first Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to represent the Lone Legislative District of Batanes in the House of Representatives, ahead of the special election scheduled for Nov. 28.
According to documents released by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Luis Andres Abad of the Liberal Party (LP) formalized his bid after submitting his COC on Thursday.
The poll body said no candidates filed their COCs on Wednesday, the first day of the filing window. The deadline for submissions is set for Oct. 16.
Aspirants may file their respective COC at the Office of the Provincial Election Supervisor-Batanes located at the DOJ Bldg., Brgy. Kaychanarian, Basco, Batanes from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said there will be no extension to the three-day COC filing period.
“There is no longer any extension. We are running out of time in our preparations,” he said in a telephone interview.
When asked how many aspirants are expected to file their COCs, Garcia said, “We could have at least two aspirants.”
The special election is scheduled for Nov. 28 to determine the new House representative, following the death of Ciriaco Gato Jr. on Sept. 21. (PNA)