COC FILING. Siquijor Provincial Election Supervisor Jerome Brillantes (right) talks with volunteers during the simulation exercise on the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) at the Commission on Elections provincial office on Thursday (Sept. 30, 2021). Brillantes said that as of October 1, not a single aspirant in the province has filed his or her COC for the May 2022 elections. (Photo courtesy of Comelec-Siquijor) DUMAGUETE CITY - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the province of Siquijor is urging aspirants in the May 9, 2022 polls to file their certificates of candidacy (COCs) early amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) surge that might result in more stringent lockdowns. Provincial election supervisor lawyer Jerome Brillantes, in an interview with the Philippine News Agency on Friday, said not a single candidate in the island-province has filed his or her COC. "While it does not come as a surprise that no one has filed his or her COC yet as this is the trend in Siquijor in the past elections, what is more troubling is the current Covid-19 situation here where granular lockdowns are now being imposed," Brillantes said in mixed English and Cebuano dialect. He suggested that candidates file early so that they would still have time to complete their requirements if their documents are lacking. Also, harder lockdowns may hamper their movement and offices might be closed, making it difficult for them to secure the additional requirements, he added. Gov. Zaldy Villa on Thursday issued an executive order declaring Siquijor under general community quarantine with heightened restrictions, in accordance with the provisions of the National Task Force on Covid-19, to prevent further spread of the coronavirus. Brillantes clarified however, that a Comelec resolution issued Thursday stated that political aspirants and their representatives are considered as authorized persons outside of residence (APORs) for the purpose of filing their COCs and certificate of nomination and acceptance (CONA), "except in areas where a stricter quarantine category or granular lockdown is imposed". The Comelec official will provide the Siquijor Provincial Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) a copy of the Comelec resolution for proper guidance during the period of filing of COCs. (PNA) }