Aspirants for House seats file COCs in 'historic' Comelec-NCR office. Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Office of the Regional Election Director-National Capital Region (ORED-NCR) has started receiving the certificates of candidacy (COC) of those seeking to become members of the House of Representatives.

First in line is Manila Councilor Joey Uy, eyeing Manila's 6th district congressional seat.

Actor and Quezon City 1st District Rep. Arjo Atayde is seeking re-election. He is joined by his mother, actress Sylvia Sanchez, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, and Vice Mayor Gian Sotto.

Also accompanied by Belmonte and Sotto, QC 5th District Rep. PM Vargas filed a COC for his re-election bid. He is the brother of actor-turned-politician Alfred Vargas.

READ: Alfred Vargas files COC, seeks reelection

Meanwhile, Apple Nieto filed for candidacy for representative of Manila's 3rd district. She is joined by Aksyon Demokratiko partymates, including vlogger Mocha Uson.

BICOL-SARO party-list Rep. Brian Yamsuan is seeking a congressional post in the 2nd district of Parañaque.

READ: Philippines enters new election season as candidacy filing for 2025 kicks off

Re-electionists also filed their COCs, including Caloocan 2nd District Rep. Mitch Cajayon-Uy and Navotas Lone District Rep. Toby Tiangco.

They all have varying programs, mainly on health, education, and flood control.

Tiangco, who is also the campaign manager of the administration's Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas which is fielding a full senatorial slate, shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has a piece of advice for those who are aiming for a local post.

READ: Comelec vigilant vs violence on Day 1 of COC filing

"Basic na bilin niya is iyong bilin niya doon sa mga kandidato na senador ng Alyansa: iyong manatiling tapat at siguraduhin iyong pagmamahal sa bayan... Of course, doon sa senatoriables at sa aming congressmen, iyong suporta sa legislative agenda," the lawmaker told reporters.

'HISTORIC' VENUE

Assistant Regional Election Director Atty. Jovencio Balanquit considers this year's filing in San Juan as "historic" because for about 37 years, the COC filing has always been held in Intramuros, Manila.

"This is historic in San Juan kasi for more than three decades, the filing of the COC for congressmen in the NCR was in the building in Intramuros, Manila. We transferred our office here last year, so this is the first time that we will be holding our reception of the COCs for the congressman in NCR here in San Juan," he said.

READ: 'File at correct office or void candidacy,' Comelec reminds aspirants on eve of filing

There are 35 congressional districts in NCR, and Balanquit estimates that about 200 aspirants will file their COCs from Oct. 1 to 8.

"There are 35 congressional districts dito sa NCR... Sabihin nating dalawang maglalaban, so that's 70. Pero madalas iyan, meron pang pangatlo, pang-apat so kaya ang ine-expect natin iyan... lalagpas din sila ng mga 200 or 300 dito sa atin... Meron mga may polical party at hindi naman din nawawala iyong mga independent candidates," he said.

"Doon sa ating mga kandidato, please follow the rules doon sa pag-accomplish ng inyong COC. If you want, you can check your COC, pa-check muna natin dito ang COC niyo bago kayo magpunta [sa taas]," he added.

READ: Comelec delists 42 party-list groups

Meantime, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora took the time to visit the office, ensuring orderly and safe activities.

"Nag-deploy naman po tayo ng napakaraming pulis, marami rin po tayong mga augmentation to ensure na maging maayos po at payapa ang filing. Talagang natapat po na major intersection ang Ortigas-Santolan. Naka-deploy naman po ang ating mga police officers at traffic enforcers para siguraduhin na hindi masyadong maabala both iyong motorista natin at mga magfi-file. Nakita natin sa baba iyong supporters may area po sa kanila kung saan sila naghihintay," he said.

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