By Beatrice Puente
(October 19, 2023) – As the 10-day campaign period for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) begins today, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded the candidates to follow protocols to avoid facing sanctions and possible disqualification.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia said they have sent show-cause orders to at least 7,000 candidates who allegedly already violated the rules, particularly the ban on premature campaigning.
Figures from the Comelec showed that at least 1.41 million aspirants filed their candidacy for the BSKE, which will finally take place after years of delay.
“Sana ipagpatuloy ninyo ‘yung pagtalima at pagsunod sa ating mga regulasyon. Sa pagsunod na ‘yan mapapakita ang kahandaan natin na maging lider ng ating barangay. Sa pagsunod at pagtalima, pinapatunayan nating meron tayong moral ascendancy,” said Garcia on One PH’s Sa Totoo Lang.
Candidates can only hold their campaign activities until October 28.
Election day is set for October 30. It has been declared a special non-working holiday by President Bongbong Marcos Jr.
Garcia said their task force will be on the lookout for violations during the campaign period. He added that the disqualification cases against violators will be resolved in time for voting day.
On election day, Garcia said they will conduct a pilot test of early voting exclusively for the elderly, pregnant, and persons with disabilities in Muntinlupa and Naga City from 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. If this setup becomes successful, he said the Comelec will likely implement the system in the next BSKE.
He also reminded voters to actively take part in the process of choosing their barangay and SK officials.
“Ito ‘yung tamang panahon na makapamili tayo ng mga lider ng ating barangay. Ganyan kaimportante ang barangay natin sapagkat sila ang frontliners sa lahat ng ating problema,” added Garcia.
Outgoing barangay and SK officials were elected in May 2018 after former President Rodrigo Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 10952. Under this law, the next BSKE “shall be held on the second Monday of May 2020 and every three years thereafter.” It was moved to December 2020 and then to December 2022.
But it still did not push through last year. In yet another postponement, Marcos signed RA 11935 that rescheduled the BSKE to the last Monday of October 2023 and every three years thereafter.
It can be recalled that the Supreme Court declared the postponement of BSKE as unconstitutional last year, but it was allowed to continue due to practical reasons.
“It unconstitutionally transgresses the constitutional prohibition against any transfer of appropriations, and it unconstitutionally and arbitrarily overreaches the exercise of the rights of suffrage, liberty, and expression,” said the Supreme Court.
(PM)
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