COMELEC to release list of candidates soon, mock polls ready

THE COMMISSION on Elections (COMELEC) said Monday it would release the final list of all candidates for the May 2022 local and national polls by next month.

“We expected them to finish (on) the first week of January. Hopefully, all the decisions have been released. We have until January 7 to finish everything so that we won't be late in printing. The January 7 is an estimate when all of these things will be done,” COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez said.

Among the pending cases faced by some candidates, including Bonbong Marcos, who is running for the presidency, are for disqualification, cancellation of certificates of candidacy, and declaration as nuisance candidates.

Jimenez also said they expect to start printing the official ballots by January 15.

He said the poll body is now prepared for the upcoming mock polls, adding, they will be using fictitious names of candidates in the simulated elections which will be simultaneously held on December 29.

“In the mock elections, we will use fictitious names. As you can see...we will not be using the tentative list (of candidates) for anything even resembling a mock election. That would not be a good idea,” he said.

The poll body also released the following areas where the mock elections would be held - Pasay and Taguig cities, and the municipality of Pateros in the National Capital Region.

For Luzon, the areas are Isabela, Cauayan City, Barangays District 1 (Poblacion), Minante 1. Cordon, Magsaysay and Gayong. Albay, Legazpi City, Kawit East (Barangay 16) and Ilawod West (Barangay 13) and Piodoran, Banawan and Caratagan.

In the Visayas: Negros Oriental, Dumaguete City, Barangays Taclobo and Balogo. Zamboanguita, Poblacion and Mayabon. Leyte, Tacloban, Barangays 6, and 6-A; Baybay City, POB Zone 11 and Gaas; Palompon, Ipil II and San Juan.

For Mindanao, the provinces are: Maguindanao, Cotabato City, Barangays Rosary Heights 2, and Tamontaka I; Sharif Aguak, Mother Poblacion and Poblacion 1; Buluan, Poblacion and Dical. Davao del Sur, Digos City, Barangay Zone 3 and San Miguel; Sulop, Poblacion and Talas. (Ferdinand Patinio and Mindanao Examiner)