The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has appealed to candidates to limit supporters who will accompany them when they file their certificates of candidacy (CoCs).

“We encourage the candidates to please limit the number of supporters they’ll bring,” Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal told reporters in an interview.

“What’s important is that they file their CoCs and that they complete all the documentary requirements before they file,” he added.

Larrazabal said as much as possible they encourage candidates to just bring their immediate family.

“We know we can’t stop supporters from coming in but we’re just asking them to please limit the number that will come like family and relatives,” he said.

The poll official issued the appeal to candidates in preparation for the barrage of 2010 bets who will file their CoCs next week.

“We expect more will file in the coming days,” said Larrazabal.

Last Friday, during the first day of the filing of CoC, only 14 candidates for president and three for senators were accepted by the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila.

The filing for the CoC will be from November 20 to December 1.

During the period, even Sunday, usually a regular rest day or family day for Filipinos, will just be as busy for those working in the Law Department of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and in the Office of the Clerk of the  Comelec where the CoCs for President, Vice President and Senator and where the manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list system of representation are being filed.

Judging from the turnout of filers last Friday and yesterday, more CoCs and manifestations of intent to participate in the party-list polls will be filed today.

On the first two days of filing, only unheard of aspirants such as Rigoberto Madera, 61, who identified himself as a teacher-preacher, a masseuse Josefina Murillo of Quezon City, and Wendell Lope, a 34-year-old taxi driver filed their certificates of candidacy for president.

In the Office of the Clerk of the Comelec, more than 30 sectoral organizations duly registered and accredited by the Comelec filed their manifestation of intent to participate in the party-list system of representation.

Last Friday alone, 18 party-list groups filed their intent to participate in the party-list polls, among which are the Citizens Battle Against Crimes (CIBAC), ABAKADA, and Ako Ayaw sa Droga.

In the Office of Regional Election Director Michael D. Dioneda of the National Capital Region (NCR) where candidates for members of the House of Representatives are required to file their CoC, there was no filer last Friday. (With a report from E.T. Suarez)