IMPORTANT ADVISORY: Birth Certificate Mandatory for COC

 As the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) prepares for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on November 2, 2026, all aspiring candidates for Barangay and SK positions are hereby advised of a key requirement for filing their Certificate of Candidacy (COC).

Under updated COMELEC guidelines, all candidates are strictly required to attach an official Birth Certificate to their COC submission.

The policy aims to enhance electoral integrity, curb material misrepresentation, and resolve qualifications early in the screening process. Specifically, attaching a birth certificate addresses two primary legal standards:

1. Age Verification: Ensures candidates meet statutory age qualifications, particularly for Sangguniang Kabataan candidates (18 to 24 years old on election day) and Barangay officials (at least 18 years old).
2. Citizenship Verification: Verifies Philippine citizenship and parentage, preventing non-qualifying individuals or foreign nationals from running for public office.