The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reported that the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections has been peaceful so far.
Comelec chair George Garcia described the filing as “very peaceful.”
“As early as 4 a.m., there were those who were lined up to file their certificates of candidacy. I am happy. This means, they trust our process and our system.
This shows that democracy is alive in our country since there are so many vying to become barangay or SK officials,” Garcia, quoted by reports, said.
The poll chief also said that based on Comelec’s field reports the filing was “smooth” even in Mindanao. He also said the Comelec “did not anticipate the huge number of COC filers on the first day of the filing period.”
To fill up around 624,000 positions for the 2023 BSKE, Garcia said they are anticipating around 2 million COC filers within the filing period.
Garcia said the Comelec expects an “intense election” in October 2023 as the outgoing barangay and SK officials have already served for a long time since the village and youth council polls have been postponed several times already.
Garcia also warned those who will present fake documents upon filing their COCs, citing that a candidate was discovered submitting a fake birth certificate.
The Comelec meanwhile said has finished printing more than 92 million ballots for the BSKE in 148 Cities and 1,468 Municipalities in the country as the election period starts August 28, 2023.
Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay, the Commissioner-in-Charge (CIC) for the October 30 BSKE also said printing of additional official ballots for the BSKE 2023 has reached 100% which is intended for the new voters who registered from December 2022 to January 2023.
“All in all, Comelec has finished printing 61,839,776 Barangay ballots and 23,254,313 SK ballots, and another additional for new voters for a total of 92,094,089 official ballots intended or the 42,027 Barangays in 148 Cities and 1,468 Municipalities in the country, which are set to be deployed in 37,259 Voting Centers,” he said.
The Comelec said the total number of contested positions for the BSKE 2023 are: 42,027 Punong Barangays; 294,189 Members, Sangguniang Barangay; 42,027 SK Chairperson; and 294,189 Members, Sangguniang Kabataan.
The election period for the BSKE started on August 28.
Also prohibited acts during the election period are: To carry firearms and deadly weapons outside residence or place of business, and in all public places, to engage the services of security personnel and to transport firearms and explosives, including its spare parts and components.
Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will start setting up checkpoints across the country. Laudiangco said once a CoC is filed, the applicant is automatically considered a candidate and is subject to the election period prohibitions.
