This may not be the only time the Commission on Elections (Comelec) will open the filing of certificates of candidacy (CoC) from politicians for the 2013 polls.
"There will be no extension for the filing of certificates of candidacy. What I'm saying is if there will be a new province, we will have to open it up again," Brillantes said.
Comelec chair Sixto Brillantes Jr. disclosed the probability of having to accept another batch of CoC from politicians should Senate decide to create a new province.
The Senate is still trying to deliberate its version of House Bill No. 4820, which proposes to split Camarines Sur and make way for the creation of Nueva Camarines.
The plenary deliberation on the bill is required before senators can approve the CamSur Bill on second reading.
"I'm not sure if they can still make it on time. But if they can enact the bill into law, it's possible that we need to open it (filing of CoC)," Brillantes said.
The move to split Camarines Sur also divided the Senate that lead to the word war between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Antonio Trillanes IV.
Trillanes accused Enrile of being a lackey of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arryo for giving in to the pressures of her allies that have been lobbying for the passage of the bill.
He also accused the senate president of railroading the process on the bill's approval, which has been said to benefit political families in the province like Villafuertes.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino on Tuesday announced a $1.8-billion military upgrade to help defend his country's maritime territory against "bullies", amid an ever-worsening dispute with China.
