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)

Dedicated individuals including doctors, nurses, health workers, health students, and health advocates took to the streets of Manila along TM Kalaw on Sunday, 15 October 2023. This event was spearheaded by the Justice for Negros organization, aiming to bring attention to the urgent issues plaguing the Negros region.

Their collective mission was to stand up on behalf of the impoverished Negros children and their families, rallying for support in their battle against the twin adversaries of hunger and disease.

In a powerful display of unity, demonstrators, comprising doctors, nurses, health workers, health students, and health advocates, proudly carried large banners in a remarkable show of solidarity for the Justice for Negros campaign.

(Report and photos by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

Games on Saturday:

(Rizal Memorial Coliseum)

11 a.m. – NU vs AU

2 p.m. – CSB vs FEU

5 p.m. – UE vs AdU

Back-to-back NCAA champion College of St. Benilde rolled past the University of the East, 25-18, 25-21, 25-4, to kick off its playoff campaign with a bang in the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Collegiate Pre-Season Championship Season 2 on Sunday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

The Lady Blazers needed only 68 minutes to pocket the easy win highlighted by a massive 21-demolition of the Lady Warriors in the third set to tie Adamson for the second spot with similar 3-1 cards in Pool F led by unbeaten Far Eastern U (4-0).

Cloanne Mondoñedo quarterbacked St. Benilde’s fine-tuned offense with 15 excellent sets as all players barged into the scoring column led by Zamantha Nolasco with 12 points.

Nolasco had nine hits, three blocks, and an ace while Jade Gentapa cashed in 11 points. Backstopping them was Gayle Pascual with eight points followed by five each from Michelle Gamit, Corrine Apostol, and Wielyn Estoque.

Jerry Yee, who’s serving as the newly-appointed mentor of UE, sat on St. Benilde’s bench while his deputy Dr. Obet Vital called the shots for the Lady Warriors in the battle between his two teams.

“Ang laking tulong samin nung nag-break ang Shakey’s since ang dami ring nagkasakit samin at kailangang mag-recover. Happy kami since ‘nung last game sa elims na nag-fifth set. Ginusto namin at magtra-trabaho kami hanggang dulo,” said Mondoñedo.

In the SSL National Invitationals, St. Benilde absorbed an early exit in the quarterfinals but is poised for a deep run this time in the SSL Season 2 by Mikasa, Eurotel, Victory Liner, Summit Bottle Water, Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken, R and B Milk Tea, Potato Corner, Rebel Sports, Converge ICT Solutions, Genius Sports and United Auctioneers, Inc.

Ranged against a vastly improved UE side, the Lady Blazers made it look so easy behind the defensive dominance of Nolasco, who patrolled the net with towering blocks after one another.

Her swat anchored St. Benilde’s 17-11 rally in the first set from a close duel heading home followed by another clinching block late in the second set, where the team unleashed a 3-0 closeout from a narrow 22-21 cushion.

It was all Lady Blazers from there on, allowing only four points in a magnificent volleyball masterclass.

Rookie Casiey Dongallo fired eight points to serve as the only bright spot for the Lady Warriors, who slid to 2-2.

Meanwhile, on Saturday night, reigning champion National U tamed the University of Santo Tomas to stay undefeated as Arellano pulled the rug from under Ateneo, both in straight sets in Pool E.

The Lady Bulldogs swept the Golden Tigresses, 25-21, 25-18, 25-21, in the battle of unbeaten teams to claim a solo lead in Pool E with a 4-0 record.

The Golden Tigresses slid to 3-1, tied with the Lady Chiefs following their gigantic 25-21, 25-18, 25-21 upset of the Blue Eagles (2-2).

All eight teams in the playoffs carry over their standings from the preliminary round for ranking in the quarterfinals, where the higher-ranked squads will sport twice-to-beat incentives. (ai/mnm)

By: Patricia Lanzagarita

MANILA – With the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 campaign period drawing near, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reinforced its reminders to candidates regarding campaign regulations.

The campaign period for the BSKE is set to run from October 19 to 28, followed by a no-campaign rest day on October 29.

Meanwhile, the election day is on October 30, 2023.

Initially, the commission emphasized that it is illegal to remove, destroy, obliterate, deface, tamper with, or obstruct the distribution of lawful election propaganda.

Additionally, Comelec reiterated that various forms of prohibited election propaganda include printing or distributing pamphlets, posters, and other printed materials, unless they display the names and addresses of the printer and the payor.

Furthermore, it is against the law to erect billboards, tin-plate posters, balloons, or any other form of advertising in favor of or against a candidate or political party.

This prohibition also extends to advertising through cinematography, audio-visual units, and other screen projections, except for news telecasts.

“Any prohibited election propaganda gadgets or advertisements shall be stopped, confiscated, or removed by the representative of the Commission, with specific authority from the Commission,” stated the COMELEC in the Omnibus Election Code.

The commission emphasized that candidates, their relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity, campaign managers, and party treasurers are prohibited from making any donations or contributions, whether in cash or in kind, during the campaign period and leading up to the election period.

“The act of giving, offering, or promising money or anything of value, or spending or offering to spend, whether directly or indirectly, to induce anyone to vote for or against a candidate, is a violation of the law and constitutes the Election Offense of Vote-Buying,” said the COMELEC.

Aspiring leaders are expected to serve the people with integrity and in accordance with the law. While COMELEC is responsible for enforcing these laws, it is the duty of candidates to uphold these principles it said.

In addition to adhering to the laws, the act of persuading voters holds significant importance, as a single vote can be a game-changer. (ai/mnm)