The Commission on Elections (Comelec) predicted Wednesday at least three million candidates will file their certificates of candidacy for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections until Saturday.
They will vie for 42,027 posts of Punong Barangay; 294,189 Members, Sangguniang Barangay; 42,027 SK Chairperson; and 294,189 Members, Sangguniang Kabataan.
In a television interview over Radyo Pilipinas, poll spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said more than two million have filed their COCs nationwide, and reiterated the warning to all BSKE candidates against early campaigning before the official campaign period, which is from October 19 to 28.
In related developments, the Supreme Court has adopted the amendments in the rules of procedure governing election contests in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan to “expeditious, inexpensive and just determination and disposition of such cases. ‘
During its en banc last Tuesday, the 2023 Amended Rules of Procedure in Election Contests Involving Elective Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Officials (A.M. 07-4-15-SC), which updated the existing rules on election contests pending before the lower courts, was promulgated by the Court.
The amended rules, which will be applied prospectively, incorporate some of the provisions of the 2019 Amendments to the Rules of Civil Procedure.
These include, among others, the provisions on the service and filing of pleadings and the judicial affidavit rule, as well as provisions applicable to automated elections following the Commission on
Elections’ adoption of pilot automated election system in the three barangays – one in Quezon City and two in Cavite) in the upcoming elections.
The amended rules also provide for an initial recount of ballots of the pilot protested clustered precincts or mono precincts.
Aside from firearms, the Comelec will prohibit carrying cash of P500,000 or more five days before and on the day of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to prevent vote-buying.
Anyone caught carrying P500,000 cash in public can be charged criminally, the Comelec said.
“What we will prohibit and penalize is the carrying of P500,000, especially when the campaign period starts,” according to poll chief George Garcia.
The Comelec would also prohibit giving of ayuda or cash assistance from the start of the campaign period on Oct. 19 until election day on Oct. 30.
The Comelec said candidates found distributing “ayuda” will be considered as vote buying, but said “giving aid to qualified individuals is exempted from the prohibition.”
Posting the face on the social media, conducting bingo games, talent shows or other similar activities that involve distribution of prizes by candidates or their supporters or by any person in which the names of the candidates are mentioned or the pictures of the candidates are visible, will also be deemed as vote buying, the poll body said.
Even medical missions, legal aid services, feeding programs or any caravan offering any or all of these services in a certain barangay or locality where the names of the candidates are mentioned, or those conducted in a place where the name or picture of a candidate is visible or displayed, is also considered vote-buying.
Meanwhile, the Southern Police District has announced the arrest of two men on the first day of the Commission on Elections gun ban for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
The suspects Felizardo Almarez, 25, and Jameson Argabio, 32, were arrested by the Police Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit and Force Multiplier in front of Doña Julita along Naga Road, Pulang-lupa 2, Las Piñas City.
While manning a checkpoint, the authorities saw the two individuals riding a motorcycle without the necessary helmets.
“There was a brief pursuit after the suspects tried to escape. When intercepted, our enforcers found and confiscated one .38 revolver, a switchblade, a bolt cutter, and a surgical scissor,” said SPD director Brig. Gen. Roderick Mariano.
He said the suspects failed to present proof of authority to possess the firearm.
The suspects are now detained and will be charged with violation of Republic Act 10591 and Batas Pambansa 06 in relation to the Omnibus Election Code.
“We humbly request the public to fully cooperate with the election gun ban and refrain from carrying firearms and deadly weapons as the SPD will remain committed to ensuring the rule of law to ensure a safe environment that encourages a fair and violence-free election,” said Mariano.