A candidate for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Bucay, Abra was shot dead, while at least 122 candidates for different positions in that province have withdrawn from the race after being intimidated, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Wednesday.
This came a day before the 10-day official campaign period for the village elections begins today, when a festive atmosphere is expected to unfold in many parts of the country.
Poll chairman George Garcia did not identify the victim in Abra, but said he was running for barangay councilor.
The 122 candidates who withdrew from the Oct. 30 BSK elections cited ”pressure” from their rivals as the reason for pulling out from the race.
Meanwhile, 44 teachers in that province backed out from serving in the BSKE polls, citing concern over their safety following a shootout between members of a suspected private armed group and policemen in Bucay on Monday.
Thirteen of the teachers were supposed to serve in the BSKE in Bucay, 14 in Pilar, three in Lagayan, six in Lagangilang and eight in Bangued.
“That development is, of course, a concern on the part of the Comelec because a candidate was killed, although this is only based on an initial report from our provincial election supervisor. This is a serious concern,” Garcia said.
Garcia said the poll body has been receiving reports on election-related problems in Abra, particularly in Bucay.
Garcia said the Comelec is waiting for a formal report on the shooting so that it can decide how to act.
While precautionary measures have been implemented, Abra province currently bears a “yellow area” designation, signifying a moderate risk of election-related violence.
The shootout involved the police and 10 Abra locals and took place while the gun ban is in effect, the Comelec said.
Abra Provincial Election Officer Mae Richelle Belmes said her office has urgently requested the Philippine National Police to reevaluate the situation in Bucay, Abra where the shootout transpired, and allocate additional resources to maintain peace and order.
Although the police have not definitively linked the Bucay shootout to political violence, reports of harassment and intimidation have surfaced.
Teachers who withdrew from their election duties have reported that armed men visited their residences and issued threats, the Comelec official added.
Garcia reminded candidates in the BSKE to abide by Comelec rules or face disqualification.
Comelec data showed that there are at least 672,016 positions at stake–42,001 are for barangay captains and 294,007 for members of Sangguniang Barangay. The same number of positions are also for SK chairman and SK council members. (See full story online at manilastandard.net)
Based on Comelec records, there are 1,414,487 aspirants in the BSKE. Of the number, 96,962 are for barangay captain; 731,682 are for members of Sangguniang Barangay; there are 92,774 aspirants for Sangguniang Kabataan; and 493,069 for SK council.
The Comelec issued a memo warning candidates against posting wrong-sized campaign materials including billboards, tarpaulins, and individual posters exceeding two by three feet in common poster areas.
Garcia said the candidates are liable if election officers find unlawful campaign materials in common poster areas, public, and even private places.
The Comelec also reiterated prohibitions under the presumption of vote buying including the distribution of food or drinks to supporters during campaign sorties.
“Giving of T-shirts, ballers, bags, sun visors, hats or caps, umbrellas, handkerchiefs, ball pens, fans, candies and others of value is strictly prohibited, including giving of food and drinks during and after a meeting or campaign sortie,” the memorandum added.
Moreover, only the candidate and five individuals among his or her campaign staff are allowed to wear shirts with the candidate’s picture.
The Comelec earlier said that all BSKE bets must limit their campaign expenditure to five pesos per voter.
This means that complaints related to illegal campaigns, premature campaigning, or even vote buying may result in a candidate’s disqualification or election offense.
Garcia advised supporters not to wear shirts with pictures of candidates to avoid their disqualification from the elections.
The Comelec will launch a nationwide “Operation Baklas“ or removal or unlawful campaign materials from Oct. 20 to 27.
The poll body has filed more than 90 disqualification cases against BSKE candidates for premature campaigning and vote buying.
The Comelec said it would also look into a report on the alleged use of government resources for the campaign of several candidates in the BSKE in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The poll body made the remarks in response to a report by the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE) which has been monitoring electoral activities in the region for the Oct. 30 BSK elections.
The poll watchdog reported that some candidates in the BSKE are allegedly using government resources for their campaign, saying barangay officials in a Bangsamoro city supposedly held child immunization programs inside their houses.
The officials also donated educational materials and constructed temporary shelters that would eventually be converted into daycare centers, Lente said a day before the BSKE campaign period.
In another city in South Cotabato, Lente alleged local officials offered free circumcision, X-ray and HIV testing to promote their supported candidates.
Scholarship grants were also reportedly given to beneficiaries who were required to show their voter’s ID.
“This political culture significantly erodes the foundations of electoral integrity and fair electoral competition as it distorts the political landscape to the benefit of the incumbent candidate,” Lente Executive Director Ona Caritos said in the statement.
Garcia said that the Omnibus Election Code bans the use of public funds for an election campaign.
The improper use of public funds is an election offense punishable with one to six years imprisonment, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.