The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warns barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates from engaging in premature campaigning before the official campaign period set October 19-28 under pain of disqualification or imprisonment.
At the same time, the Comelec said the honoraria for poll workers in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) has been increased up to P10,000.
Comelec chairman George Garcia issued the warning saying appropriate charges will be filed
charges against the candidates who would launch an early campaign following their filing of certificate of candidacy (COC).
Garcia reminded the candidates that the filing of COCs for the 2023 BSKE will be from August 28 to September 2, while the campaign period will run only from October 19 to October 28.
Garcia said August 28 is the start of the election period, as well as the start of the gun ban, public works ban and social services prohibition “unless explicitly exempted by the Comelec.
“Once you file your COC, you are already considered as a candidate. Therefore, we will apply the full force of the law, Section 18 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC). You cannot go around, campaign, distribute things since you are already a candidate,” Garcia said.
Aspirants must be at least 18 years of age for barangay positions and at least 18 but strictly not more than 24 years old by the day of the election for SK posts.
The Comelec chief also urged voters to report any BSKE candidates who begin campaigning prior to the start of the official campaign period on 19 October.
Garcia said the Comelec’s efforts to combat premature campaigning also involve the possibility of a “warrantless arrest” for individuals caught participating in vote-buying or vote-selling.
Garcia said the Comelec will tap its savings to raise the honoraria of teachers who will man the BSKE polls on October 30, 2023.
The honoraria of poll workers will be raised to P10,000, P8,000, and P6,000, for the electoral board chair and members, and Department of Education supervisor official (DESO), respectively.
Garcia said the Comlec has savings of P8.4 billion budget for the barangay polls.
“In the procurement, we picked the least costly offer for every supply, like indelible ink for example,” Garcia said.
“It means we increased the honoraria based on our savings from procurement,” he said.
Garcia also said poll workers in areas where a plebiscite will be conducted like Bulacan will receive an additional P2,000.
The same additional amount will be given to poll workers in Naga City and Muntinlupa City where voting will open early for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pregnant women, Garcia said.
A DESO will receive 9,000 for the poll duty, while support staff will receive P5,500.
Death benefits worth P500,000 will be provided in cases of election-related deaths. election-related risk.
On the other hand, medical assistance not exceeding P200,000 will be given to those who will suffer election-related injury or illness.