The Commission on Elections (Comelec) initially logged a total of 9,525 aspirants or candidates for the 2022 polls from its local and satellite offices nationwide on Friday.

Friday marked the last day for the filing of certificate of candidacies (COCs) for the 2022 polls from president down to municipal councillor. The Comelec will finalize the lists of qualified candidates for the 2022 polls, while those who filed their COCs allowed to make substitutions.

Initial Comelec data showed that there were 97 who filed their COCs for the presidency, but less filed to contend for vice president, or 29.

Meanwhile, 176 individuals filed their COCs to run for senator. Only 12 senatorial seats will be needed to fill up in the 2022 polls.

Furthermore, 270 party-list candidates filed their COCs.

As the Comelec closed its doors for the receiving of COCs, it reminded all appointed officials seeking posts in next year’s elections should resign once they file their COCs.

“I’d like to remind you of the effects of the COC or the Certificate of Nomination and Acceptance (CONA), first an aspirant holding public appointed office or position, including active members of the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and other officers and employees in government-owned or government-controlled corporations who filed a COC will be considered ipso facto resigned from the office, must vacate the same at the start of the regular office hours of the day when the aspirant filed the COC,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said in a press briefing on the final day of the COC filing for national positions at the Sofitel Harbor Garden Tent in Pasay City.

In the case of elective officials, Jimenez said they can serve until the end of their term.

“An aspirant, on the other hand, holding an elective office or position shall not be considered resigned upon the filing of the COC, meaning to say that the person who holds elective office can continue in office until the end of his term or their term,” he added.