The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) will soon require candidates to submit a sworn declaration disclosing any conflicts of interest alongside their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), according to Chairman George Erwin Garcia.
Speaking in a radio interview, Garcia explained that the policy aims to foster greater public accountability by compelling hopefuls to confront ethical issues before entering office.
The measure, recommended by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla, will be introduced during the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on November 2 before being applied to party-list groups and the 2028 national and local polls.
“Ngayon namin ipapatupad na simula ng barangay SK election. Maganda ‘yan bilang paghahanda sa 2028 national ang local election,” Garcia said.
The disclosure will be integrated directly into the standard COC form alongside existing sworn declarations, such as those regarding dual citizenship and residency status. Garcia clarified that while it does not introduce new constitutional eligibility rules, it will serve as an automatic, mandatory section of the filing.
“‘Yon ay isasama natin bilang isa sa panunumpaan ng mga kandidato, hindi bilang kwalipikasyon kundi bilang kasama na automatically doon sa certificate of candidacy,” he noted.
Though the Constitution and the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act already address conflicts of interest once an official assumes power, COMELEC’s initiative shifts scrutiny to the pre-election phase.
Candidates who omit business interests or fail to declare existing conflicts risk facing perjury charges or disqualification for violating election guidelines.
“Kung ikaw ay kandidato tapos ‘yon palang panahong ‘yon ay may conflict of interest ka na… doon palang pwedeng kasuhan ng perjury sapagkat ‘yon ay pinapanumpaan at kasama ng certificate of candidacy,” Garcia warned.
Garcia added that the policy will also serve an educational role, helping private citizens transitioning into politics navigate public ethics early on.
“Ito ay proteksyon din nila na they are aware and conscious… lalo yung mga nasanay sa pribado, marami tayong tumatakbo dyan na hindi naman sila government officials from the very start.”