The Commission on Elections (Comelec) through its city election office here is all ready to accept the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of any and all candidates for the 2019 midterm elections once the filing begins on Oct. 11-17, excluding weekends.

Zamboanga City Election Officer Atty. Stephen Roy Cañete told the press briefing Monday that his office will start accepting COCs on Oct. 11-17 for the positions of congressman, mayor, vice mayor and members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

In Zamboanga City, it will be a showdown between two formidable forces headed by reelectionist Mayor Beng Climaco and District 1 Rep. Celso Lobregat who has been rumored to run for mayor.

A third force is also in the offing with reelectionist District 2 Rep. Mannix Dalipe, whose father, former mayor Manny Dalipe, has been reported to make a comeback to City Hall.

In the meantime, the local election office is heading for the end of its satellite registration of voters on Sept. 29.

He said the remaining four days of voters’ registration will be done at KCC Mall for convenience and accessibility of the registrants. (Vic Larato)