By Junex Doronio
GOOD NEWS for the teachers who sacrificed as poll workers during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
On Thursday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that more than 90 percent of the teachers who served as poll workers have received their intended honoraria.
In a public briefing, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco asked the unpaid electoral board members to immediately proceed to their respective local Comelec offices.
“90% plus na kasi ang nabayaran namin ng honoraria. Kayo na lang po ang natitira na less than 10%. Sana kayo’y tumungo na sa tanggapan ng local Comelec para matanggap niyo na without delay at agad-agad ang inyong honoraria,” Laudiangco said.
He added that poll workers have to personally obtain their honoraria from the Comelec since they have to sign certain payroll documents.
It was learned that the teachers who served as Chairman and electoral board members for BSKE would receive P10,000 and P9,000 of honoraria, respectively.
In the previous polls, their honoraria only got P6,000 and P5,000 for the chairman and electoral board member respectively.
Comelec chairman George Garcia earlier said that under the law, the poll body is allowed to pay the teachers within 15 days after the elections, and the BSKE was just held last October 30.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
RECEIVING COMPLAINTS THAT SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS were meddling in the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Sunday disclosed that those involved will be facing charges of election offenses.
Garcia said the Comelec will come up with a list of these erring government officials by Monday, November 6.
“Ako’y nagpatawag ng isang pagpupulong kung saan ipa-finalize namin ‘yung listahan na sa aming palagay ay nakialam sa ating halalan. Kinakailangan naming seryosohin ang bagay na ‘yan lalong lalo na maaaring maulit muli sa mga susunod na halalan,” the poll body chief bared in his interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
He noted that the Comelec received more than 10 complaints against local government officials interfering with the BSKE last October 30.
Garcia said these complaints should be verified and investigated before they will be brought to the attention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He sternly warned that those who have influenced or threatened the teachers who were forced to back out from their poll duties will be jailed.
“Hindi natin babalikan ang mga guro, hindi tayo magpapakulong ng ating mga bayani o guro. Subalit kung sino ‘yung mga nang-impluwensya o nanakot sa kanila, ‘yan ang babalikan natin. Mukhang dapat kinakailangan mapanagot natin ang mga ‘yan,” Garcia stressed. (ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
ACKNOWLEDGING THE VARIOUS THREATS to the security and lives of the teachers who backed out from their traditional poll duties, Vice President and Education Secretary (VPES) Sara Duterte on Saturday thanked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for not filing charges against them.
On Friday, November 3, the Comelec announced that it would not be filing criminal complaints against teacher-poll workers who begged off from working during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) last October 30.
The VPES thanked the Comelec “for recognizing the various threats that confronted them during this time.”
“We also stand with Comelec in its resolve to file charges against those who intimidated, harassed, and threatened our teachers,” Duterte said.
Earlier, the Teachers’ Dignity Coalition (TDC) said that if the teachers “withdrew because they felt an imminent threat to their life, health, and safety,” Comelec should recognize that as a valid reason.
“Such acts of violence and coercion not only jeopardized the safety and security of our educators but also undermined their dedication to service,” Duterte also noted.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia earlier admitted that they do not have a total number yet of those who backed out on election day but expressed the belief that only a few did.
(ai/mnm)
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Erwin Garcia (with microphone) conducted a press conference Friday at the Comelec main office in Intramuros for a final update on the recently concluded barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Addressing the concerns about sporadic incidents of violence during the BSKE, Garcia emphasized that, on the whole, the recent election had transpired peacefully.
Earlier, the chairman said the canvassing and proclamation of BSKE winners in all of the 42,001 barangays nationwide were completed on Nov. 1 including all barangays in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
“The only remaining unproclaimed candidates were the ones ordered suspended by the Commission and (those in) areas where the electoral board availed itself of the five-day notice rule,” said Garcia.
“No failure of the election was declared anywhere,” he added.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also said that all 19,000 barangay captains and 17,160 youth council winners have already been proclaimed.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
CITING THE SACRIFICES RENDERED BY TEACHERS during the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Tuesday reiterated its call to remove the tax from the honoraria that poll workers will be receiving for their service.
At the same time, the ACT said the teachers should be fairly compensated by granting them overtime pay.
“Isipin niyo ang mga teachers natin ay madaling araw pa mula kahapon nasa mga presinto at hanggang ngayon, hindi pa natutulog. Hindi robot at makina ang mga teachers at poll workers natin kaya kailangan ng karagdagang benepisyo. Overtime pay ang hinnihingi natin,” ACT National Capital Region (NCR) president Ruby Bernardo said at a press conference.
On Monday, October 30, Department of Education (DepEd) Undersecretary Michael Poa said they have already touched base with Comelec to ensure that the Board of Election Inspectors will get their poll duty honoraria.
However, the ACT strongly opposed the 20% tax deduction that will be applied to the said amounts.
For his part, ACT chairperson Vladimer Quetua said that teachers who rendered service for the recently concluded BSKE should be given a P10,000 net honoraria.
“Hindi na kasi sasapat ‘yung nare-receive ng mga teachers o mga poll workers in general sa kanyang kompensasyon. Alam naman natin na kahit may extra na pagboboluntaryo na nagbabantay, pero makikita niyo na talagang teacher pa rin ang nagbabantay,” he said.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has announced that the chairman and electoral board members for BSKE 2023 will receive P10,000 and P9,000 of honoraria, respectively.
Noticeably, this was an increase from the previous P6,000 and P5,000 granted to them.
But it’s the tax that really burden the teachers.
“‘Wag niyo nang buwisan ang mga teachers dito. Ang panawagan, dagdagan niyo pa nga itong honoraria ng teachers. Dapat minimum. Sa aming pagtatantya, dapat nga doblehin niyo,” Quetua stressed.
(ai/mnm)
Ni Liezelle Soriano
UMABOT sa 244 ang bilang ng mga karahasan na naitala sa pagdaraos ng barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), ayon sa Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Ang datos na ito ng Comelec ay nagmula sa Philippine National Police (PNP).
Saklaw nito ang huling araw ng Oktubre, ayon pa sa poll body.
Samantala, umabot naman sa 19 ang kabuuang bilang ng mga namatay sa kasagsagan ng eleksiyon.
“We hope this will be the end of it,” wika ni Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco.
“Though the figures are quite high, they are really low compared to the figures from the 2013 and 2018 barangay elections, where we had more than 300 election-related incidents and deaths,” dagdag pa niya.
Sinabi pa niya na karamihan sa mga nasawi ay nagmula sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
Aniya, karamihan sa mga napatay ay mga tagasuporta o kamag-anak ng mga kandidato.
(AI/MNM)
By Liezelle Soriano
MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told the newly elected barangay officials to be honest all the time as they play an important role in the community.
The Chief Executive also congratulated those who won the elections.
“Binabati ko ang lahat ng mga bago at muling nahalal na barangay at SK officials. Napakahalaga po ng inyong papel sa ating lipunan,” Marcos said in a video message.
“Maging tapat po tayo sa lahat ng oras. Lagi po nating unahin ang kapakanan ng sambayanan sapagkat sila po ang dahilan kung bakit nais nating magsilbi sa bayan,” he added.
On Monday, the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) were “successful and peaceful,” according to the President.
Despite the numerous violent occurrences that were recorded on election day at various polling places nationwide, particularly in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson George Garcia said that there was no failure of election during BSKE.
“Despite the fact of our limited resources, nakakagawa sila ng mga pamamaraan upang maituloy lang ‘yong election, dahil and pangako natin, there should be no failure of election in any of the 201,786 precincts in the country, and we stood to that commitment na walang failure of election dapat,” Garcia said.
While some voting places opened later than expected due to various problems, especially security, he said that all of the 201,786 precincts nationwide operated normally during this year’s elections.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) revealed that a total of 19 election-related fatalities occurred in seven regions during the recently concluded 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections.
According to data provided by the electoral commission, these incidents of election-related violence took place between August 28 and October 31.
Among these fatalities, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) experienced the highest number, with 11 deaths, 13 incidents, and 14 individuals injured.
Two fatalities were reported in each of Regions V (Bicol) and VII (Central Visayas), while one fatality occurred in each of the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR), Regions IX (Zamboanga Peninsula), IV-A (Calabarzon), and I (Ilocos).
Injured Teachers
In response to these incidents, Comelec Chairman George Garcia announced that the commission is prepared to provide hospital assistance of up to PHP200,000 to teachers who were injured while fulfilling their responsibilities as Election Boards (EBs).
“We will offer a maximum of PHP200,000 in hospital assistance to them,” Chairman Garcia stated during a press briefing.
Chairman Garcia noted that fewer than ten teachers sustained injuries, with causes ranging from snake bites and vehicular accidents to heart attacks.
Honoraria Distribution
Chairman Garcia further mentioned that the distribution of honoraria to teachers has commenced in Region 3 (Central Luzon). He assured that teachers across other parts of the country would receive their honoraria by the end of the week.
“They (teachers) will receive their honoraria by Friday, provided that the proclamations have been made,” the Chairman of the electoral commission affirmed.
(IA/mnm)
MANILA — Approximately 790 candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Bicol decided to withdraw from the race just a day before the scheduled election day, as reported by Jane Veleza, the Commission on Elections Bicol regional director.
As of October 29, Veleza confirmed that 790 candidates had formally withdrawn their Certificates of Candidacy (CoCs). The withdrawals were spread across various positions:
For the position of Punong Barangay (Barangay Captain), 82 candidates chose to back out. Among the six provinces in the region, Masbate had the highest number of withdrawals at 49, followed by Albay with 10, Catanduanes with 9, Sorsogon with 7, Camarines Norte with 4, and Camarines Sur with 3.
Sangguniang Barangay (Barangay Council) members saw 267 candidates withdrawing their CoCs, with Masbate leading with 74 withdrawals, followed by Albay with 66, Camarines Sur with 43, Sorsogon with 42, Catanduanes with 25, and Camarines Norte with 17.
For the position of Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman (Youth Council Chairman), 98 candidates opted to withdraw their CoCs. The breakdown by province included 23 in Masbate, 19 in Albay, 18 in Sorsogon, 16 in Camarines Sur, 14 in Catanduanes, and 8 in Camarines Norte.
Members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (Youth Council) also saw a withdrawal of approximately 343 candidates, with Camarines Sur having the highest number at 92, followed by Albay with 81, Masbate with 67, Camarines Norte with 42, Sorsogon with 36, and Catanduanes with 25.
Despite these withdrawals, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bicol assured that the BSKE election was proceeding as planned and all systems were ready. In Albay province, a notable feature was the introduction of mall voting, where over 700 voters from the village of Capantawan in Legazpi City would cast their votes at SM City Legazpi for the first time. Ma. Aurea Bo-Bunao, the Comelec election supervisor in Albay, stated that Legazpi City was one of the pilot areas for this innovative voting approach at SM City Legazpi.
Meanwhile, in Abra, a total of 292 political candidates also withdrew from this year’s political exercise as reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the PNP chief, and George Garcia, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson, visited the province to assess the situation on Monday.
(Liezelle Soriano/ai/mnm)
MANILA — Approximately 292 political candidates in Abra have withdrawn from this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), as reported by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr., the PNP chief, and George Garcia, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson, visited the province to assess the situation.
“We were personally briefed by the Comelec chairman, and we have compiled a list of the candidates who withdrew. In total, 292 candidates have withdrawn,” stated Acorda.
The police chief assured that appropriate security measures have been put in place to address concerns related to safety.
Acorda previously mentioned that candidates withdrew due to alleged threats.
Additionally, in Abra, a few teachers assigned to serve as members of the electoral board also withdrew.
To enhance security, an additional 352 police officers have been deployed to Abra by the PNP.
According to the Comelec, on October 18, they received a report of a candidate for the BSKE in Bucay, Abra, who was tragically shot and killed.
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — There have been reports of alleged vote-buying in the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), according to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. even in his hometown in Ilocos Norte.
He expressed his concern, stating that such incidents persist, especially during the nighttime. “Last night, there were reports of individuals attempting to purchase votes, even here in Ilocos Norte,” he said.
As this happened, President Marcos urged Filipinos not to sell their votes and instead exercise their right to vote and select their preferred candidates.
He emphasized the importance of choosing local officials who play a significant role in their daily lives.
“I advise our fellow citizens not to squander your right to select your barangay officials because you know that these officials are the ones you face every day,” he said.
“They are the ones you turn to for help with your problems. If you reduce this to mere transactions, you will lose your voice, and you won’t be able to choose who should truly lead your barangay.”
The President assured the public that reports of vote-buying are closely monitored, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is actively working to prevent such illegal activities.
“Of course, all our police forces and Comelec are doing everything to put a stop to these practices. As soon as we receive reports, I immediately send our police and Comelec officials to address the situation, especially in hotspot areas,” he added.
(ai/mnm)
BAGO pa man nakaboto ang Badjao na ito, kasama ang ilang kapwa Badjao, sila ay una nang hinarang sa main gate ng Malabanias Integrated School sa Angeles, Pampanga nitong Lunes, ika-30 ng Octubre, araw ng halalan para sa barangay at Sangguniang Kabataan.
Sa simula pa lang ng kanilang pagpasok sa gate, inakusahan na sila na “flying voters” kahit na sila ay nagpakita ng mga dokumento na nagpapatunay na sila ay mga lehitimong botante sa nasabing lugar.
Sa gitna ng komosyon, nakipag-ugnayan ang mga tauhan ng Commission on Elections (COMELEC) at natuklasan na ang grupo ay talaga namang nakatala sa listahan ng mga botante.
Nagkaroon ng reklamo mula sa mga Badjao na kanilang naranasan ang profiling na naging dahilan kung kaya sila hinaharang sa simula.
Sa tulong ng mga kamag-anak na sumuporta sa grupo, matagumpay na nakaboto ang mga Badjao, at naging maayos ang kanilang halalan.
Sa kabila ng magandang takbo ng halalan sa eskwelahan, may mga ilang indibidwal na nagreklamo dahil nawawala ang kanilang mga pangalan sa master list na nakapaskil sa mga presinto. Sa kasalukuyan, wala pang maayos na sagot mula sa mga tauhan ng COMELEC ukol sa kanilang reklamo.
(Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION is better than a pound of cure, so goes the age-old adage that apparently keeps the Philippine Coast Guard on alert as 20,000 PCG personnel were tasked to secure the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday, October 30.
At the same time, the PCG on “Undas” (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) will have to make sure there will be no overloading on vessels from November 1 to Nov. 2.
“Paulit ulit na lang bawat may hindi magandang nangyayari ay mayroong hindi nakasulat [sa manifest]. Kawawa ang pasahero, lalo na ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay, dahil nagkakaron ng komplikasyon sa pag-claim nila ng insurance,” PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gavan said on Sunday in a radio interview.
He also disclosed that Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista ordered them to ensure that there would be no excess passengers boarding vessels or motor bancas, and all passengers should be on the manifest.
The PCG chief stressed that shipping operators also have the responsibility to ensure that passengers are not carrying overweight bags and other belongings to avoid overloading.
Gavan said the PCG had been on “heightened alert” from October 25 to November 5 as part of preparations for both BSKE and “Undas”.
(ai/mnm)
Ni Liezelle Soriano
INIHAYAG ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) nitong Linggo na nagtalaga sila ng 118,000 servicemen sa 361 areas of concern para sa 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) na gaganapin ngayong Lunes.
Ayon kay AFP Spokesman Medel Aguilar, halos isang libo sa mga kasundaluhan ang naka-deploy sa Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
“Aside from the manpower, we also offered our transportation assistance na makatulong dun sa preparation and at the same time yung ating communication system. ‘Yan ang mga isa [sa mga bagay na] we have committed and we have provided the COMELEC to support itong coming BSKE 2023,” wika ni Aguilar.
Idinagdag niya na umaasa ang AFP para sa isang “secure, free, orderly” na BSKE.
“We have to assure our communities that it will be safe through our presence. We are always in support [of] the COMELEC, and to our partner na PNP, together with the PCG, sa mga deployment and mga ating equipment or transportation used,” sinabi ni Aguilar.
Ang AFP ay mananatiling naka-red alert sa buong bansa hanggang Oktubre 31, at handang palawigin ang alerto sakaling kailanganin ito.
By Liezelle Soriano
The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has announced that more than 31,000 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) will participate in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).
“The right to vote is an inherent constitutional right for all. As the DILG actively collaborates with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to ensure peace and order during the 2023 BSKE, we are delighted to confirm that over 31,000 PDLs will exercise their voting rights in the BSKE 2023,” said DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos.
According to Comelec regulations, detainees who are formally charged, awaiting trial, and those serving terms of less than a year are eligible to vote.
The DILG has also instructed the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to ensure a peaceful and orderly voting process for the 31,125 PDLs.
“The turnout of a larger number of registered PDL voters for the BSKE is indeed historic. This underscores the commitment of the DILG and the BJMP to uphold democracy and inclusivity in the electoral process,” stated the DILG chief.
Earlier this month, the Comelec, BJMP, and the Public Attorney’s Office reached an agreement regarding the implementation of PDLs’ voting in the BSKE.
On a different note, Abalos issued a warning to BSKE candidates, urging them to strictly adhere to all election laws, rules, and regulations to ensure an “orderly and clean election.”
(ai/mnm)
MANILA — With the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) assures the public of the availability of sufficient power supply across the country before, during, and after the elections.
Measures are also in place to prevent any unscheduled power outages that may
disrupt the voting, as well as the counting process.
While there are two potential yellow alerts in Luzon for this week and the week of the elections, the DOE Energy Task Force Election has been instructed early on to
coordinate with the generating companies and the National Grid Corporation of the
Philippines (NGCP) to ensure the availability of generating units to meet the demand and required reserves during the said period.
Suspension of preventive maintenance and testing of generating units one week before and after the elections will be strictly enforced.
The demand forecast in Luzon for the week of elections is at 12,257 MW. However, the current demand is only 10,500 MW to 11,500 MW, where electricity consumption during the fourth quarter period is generally lower.
“With this, we have a buffer of at least 700 MW,” the DOE said.
The DOE Task Force has also coordinated closely with the generation companies and the NGCP to facilitate the timely completion and seamless entry of power projects, as well as critical transmission line projects, should there be any.
The NGCP was likewise directed to utilize the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and the Mindanao Visayas Interconnection Project (MVIP) during peak hours to balance the power supply and demand system of the grid.
Both the Visayas and Mindanao grids, meanwhile, are not expected to experience any alerts.
“Safeguarding the energy needs of the country during the critical electoral process is our foremost concern and we have enlisted the full cooperation of all our stakeholders in the generation, transmission, and distribution sectors in this endeavor. Preparations have been undertaken to ensure that there will be enough power in days leading up to, during, and in the immediate conduct of the elections” Energy Secretary Raphael P.M. Lotilla said.
Meanwhile, the DOE Energy Task Force Election has also instructed distribution utilities (DUs) to deploy special and emergency line crews to check lines for any obstructions and to ensure that all necessary and correct connections are installed within their franchise areas.
By Junex Doronio
WITH THE ONGOING FEVERISH CAMPAIGN for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) this coming Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) placed the entire country under red alert and deployed 187,600 personnel to ensure peace and order.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Friday disclosed the full deployment of 187,600 PNP personnel for election duties on Saturday, October 28, with the alert status raised to full alert.
“Your dedication and professionalism are indispensable in upholding public trust and preserving the democratic process. I urge each and every one of you to remain vigilant, impartial, and devoted to your duty. Remember, the integrity of our electoral system rests upon our shoulders, and the nation relies on us to guarantee a peaceful and equitable election,” Acorda Jr. said in a press briefing at the Camp Crame headquarters in Quezon City.
Acknowledging the recent pre-poll violence in Cotabato, Abra Masbate, and other critical areas, Acorda Jr. said the PNP’s objective is to provide a safe and secure environment for all voters.
“First and foremost, I would like to underscore that the PNP has strategically deployed personnel nationwide to ensure the preparedness and security of our localities for the forthcoming electoral process. This is especially crucial in remote areas and those with a history of election-related incidents,” the PNP chief stressed.
He added that the deployment of police forces depends on the regional commander’s discretion based on the prevailing peace and security situation in their respective areas of operational control and supervision.
(ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
ANTICIPATING THE MASSIVE WITHDRAWAL of teachers from their poll duties in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reiterated its readiness and said that 5,558 policemen will substitute the teachers who withdraw as electoral board members.
The PNP made the assurance amid reports that some teachers in Cotabato City and Abra have backed out of the task due to fear of violence.
“Maaga pa lamang ay in-anticipate na ito ng PNP kaya meron po tayong naka-standby na 5,588 na trained na PNP na puwede pong mag-serve as special board of electoral inspector po,” said PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo in an interview with GMA Integrated News’ Unang Balita.
Meanwhile, in order to ensure a peaceful election, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded the voters of the following “do’s and don’ts”:
Do’s:
* Know your precinct number and voting center.
* When voting, use the folder to cover your ballot.
* Avoid erasures and leaving unnecessary marks on the ballot.
* After voting, submit the ballot and leave the voting precinct to make space for other voters.
Don’ts:
* Vote more than once or be a substitute for other voters.
* Do not tear or destroy the ballot.
* Do not take a photo or a selfie with the ballot.
* Do not hesitate to ask the precinct personnel for guidance.
Be guided accordingly.
(AI/MNM)
On Friday, October 20, 2023, marking the second day of the campaign period, several Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates in Metro Manila were found to be in violation of the official memorandum issued by Comelec regarding the placement of campaign paraphernalia in designated areas.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia, along with other officials, took action by removing election paraphernalia such as posters and tarpaulins belonging to candidates running in the BSKE who had placed their materials in unauthorized poster locations along the Oroquieta and Recto areas of Metro Manila.
Photographs documenting Comelec Chairman George Garcia and other officials actively participating in the dismantling of campaign posters in various parts of Metro Manila were captured during this operation.
(Report and photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)
By Junex Doronio
FACING 194 possible disqualification cases upon initial assessment, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Thursday expressed confidence that the poll body can resolve these before the October 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is set to file disqualification cases against at least 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates on Friday, September 29.
“Asahan niyo [You can expect], by Monday, these will be raffled to a division and then the division will issue a summons requiring the respondents to file,” Garcia assured.
He added that the Comelec divisions will hold “summary proceedings” and they will not be required to conduct a full-blown hearing on each petition.
“Therefore, sa isang linggo, kumpleto lahat ng proseso ng submission at pwede kaming magdesisyon sa second week ng October. Almost sure ako na may desisyon bago mag October 30,” Garcia said. (ai/mnm)