Candidates seeking elective posts will be required to submit a sworn declaration when filing their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs), formally committing to comply with the country’s conflict of interest laws if elected, under a new measure aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in public office.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) approved the requirement during its July 24 en banc referendum and consultation, adopting a recommendation from its Law Department based on a proposal by the Ombudsman, with the new requirement to take effect in the 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

Under the approved declaration, candidates will undertake that, once elected, they will comply with the conflict of interest provisions of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Republic Act No. 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The declaration states:

“I undertake, once elected, to comply with the provisions on conflict of interest under Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 6713, particularly as to the prohibition on having direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract, or transaction that may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of official duty, or in which I am prohibited by the Constitution or any law from having any interest.”

RA 3019 prohibits public officials from directly or indirectly holding financial or pecuniary interests in businesses, contracts or transactions in which they intervene in their official capacity or are otherwise prohibited by the Constitution or law from having an interest.

RA No. 6713, meanwhile, defines a conflict of interest as a situation in which a public official’s substantial interest in a private corporation or business may conflict with, or be affected by, the faithful performance of official duties.

The Comelec said these laws reflect the state’s policy against financial or pecuniary interests that could impair the faithful performance of public duty.

“The inclusion of a sworn declaration on conflict of interest would not add a qualification to public office as it is only a statement of undertaking to obey existing laws,” the Law Department said.

It said the declaration is authorized under Section 52(g) of the Omnibus Election Code, which empowers the poll body to prescribe election forms, and is intended to promote transparency by placing candidates on record regarding financial interests that may affect the discharge of their duties if elected.

The Law Department also cited a Supreme Court ruling that struck down mandatory drug testing for senatorial candidates because it imposed an unconstitutional additional qualification for public office. It said the proposed declaration differs because it merely requires candidates to undertake compliance with laws already in force.

“These are not new conditions imposed for purposes of candidacy,” the department said. “More importantly, the declaration will promote transparency and place each aspirant/candidate on record regarding financial interests that may affect the faithful performance of official duty.”

Following the en banc’s approval, the Office of the Secretary to the Commission directed the Law Department to take the necessary steps to incorporate the declaration into the COC.

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