Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday expressed optimism that the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) would not be postponed in any area across the country.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) signed a memorandum of agreement to address vote-buying and vote-selling, which would provide complainants free legal representation and assistance.
“So far, we are not seeing any areas that would postpone.. All areas will be simultaneously doing or conducting the BSKE as scheduled,” Acorda said in a press conference.
He noted however that some areas needed additional deployment of personnel, like the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Toward this end, the PNP and other agencies were discussing and making preparations to implement appropriate measures in concerned areas.
Asked about the situation in Socorro, Surigao del Norte amid reports of an alleged cult, Acorda said they were monitoring and planning appropriate deployment in the area.
“No less than our director for operations is in coordination with intelligence units and also with other agencies,” he said.
On September 28, the Comelec gave assurance that there would be no failure of elections.
They should be able to vote without pressure, no influence from others, but according to their will,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.
“That’s the issue in Socorro and that’s the reason why Comelec is closely monitoring the developments in Socorro and likewise, the Senate hearing,”Garcia said.
As of September 20, the PNP is considering 246 barangays as election areas of concern under the red category, which will be placed under Comelec control.
A total of 44 incidents of violence suspected to be related to the upcoming BSKE have been monitored so far, the PNP said.
Six of these incidents have been validated as election -related, while 32 were validated to be unrelated to the elections.
Garcia and PAO chief Persida Acosta signed the MOA four weeks before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang Elections scheduled on October 30.
Garcia said there is the need for the cooperation between the Comelec and PAO to cure the “modern cancer of democracy.”
The Comelec said the agreement was part of the poll body’s intensified drive against vote buying during electoral exercises, especially with the upcoming BSKE.
According to the Comelec, anybody can report incidents through exclusive communication channels, email, and social media, like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, and Twitter.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, vote buying involves giving money or anything of value, promising any office or employment and other offers to induce anyone to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in an election.
Comelec said that vote buying and vote selling can now be done through digital or online banking transactions, or with the use of any mobile wallet applications.
Acosta said “we should not let this coming elections and future elections pass without involving PAO in fighting this modern cancer, “ adding “this will empower the public to have the courage to file complaints with the Comelec.