2022 election countdown
THE countdown to next year’s May 9 national and local elections started today as the Philippines and the rest of the world continue to grapple with the raging COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s exactly a year before this impoverished Southeast Asian nation of election-crazy people go to the polls anew to elect the successor of outgoing President Duterte.
In the country, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is dedicated to the service of protecting the people’s constitutional right to elect government officials of their choice.
The important role that the poll body plays in our political life cannot be over-emphasized, according to well-meaning government officials and even the nation’s ordinary voters.
Aside from DU30’s successor, the voters also elect a new Vice President, 12 senators, members of the House of Representatives, and thousands of local government officials.
Elections are held every three years, with the President, Vice President and senators having a six-year term of office, while local government officials serve only for three years.
Like the fabled Tour of Luzon of the late Geruncio Lacuesta of Pangasinan, an election, which is “democracy in action,” is a much-awaited “Summer Spectacle” in the country.
For those seeking public office in the forthcoming national and local elections, the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) starts on October 1 and ends October 8, 2021.
But the campaign period for those running for President, Vice President, Senators and party-list members of the House of Representatives starts 90 days before election day.
District congressmen and other local government officials, like governors and city/municipal mayors start campaigning 45 days before May 9, 2022, according to the poll body.
