ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured its readiness to conduct barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in October this year.
Atty. Rainier Layson, Provincial Election Supervisor IV of Comelec-Iloilo and concurrent acting election officer of Comelec-Iloilo City, expressed confidence that the barangay and SK elections will push through on Oct. 30, 2023 since there has been no movement in Congress to postpone the polls.
“Sigurado gid, 100 percent sure kita sa Comelec. Wala kita sang nakita nga movement nga i-postpone pa nila. So all systems go kita,” assured Layson.
Comelec-Iloilo has conducted registration drives, election registration board hearings, preparation of project precincts, inspections of polling centers by the municipal/city election offices, and cleansing double registration records, among others.
The last barangay and SK election was held in May 2018.
Revised calendar of activities
On March 22, the Comelec-central office issued Resolution Number 10902, or the Revised Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts, in connection with Oct. 30, 2023 synchronized Barangay and SK elections.
Based on the revised calendar of activities, the election period and gun ban will begin on Aug. 28 until Nov. 29.
During the election period, “bearing, carrying or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the commission,” is prohibited.
Layson explained to Panay News yesterday that the calendar of activities was revised to shorten the election period, particularly the gap between the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) and the start of the campaign period.
The filing of the COC will start on Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, while the campaign period will be from Oct. 19 to 28.
Campaigning is prohibited from Sept. 3 to Oct. 18.
Layson also reminded “would-be” candidates that once they file their COCs, they will be considered as candidates. If they start campaigning before the campaign period, they would be charged with premature campaigning.
“Amo na ang isa sa mga rason ngaa ginpa-atras or palip-ot ang election period, para indi man mabudlay or ang risk man sang kandidato naton nga maka-conduct sang illegal campaign undertakings or activities,” Layson said.
From Oct. 29 to 30, campaigning will be prohibited. This will also be the start of the implementation of the liquor ban: selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor are prohibited.
Who is qualified to run for barangay , SK elections?
Qualified to run for barangay elections are 18 years old and above, must be a resident for at least one year of the barangay where he will run for, and a registered voter.
For SK, 18 years old to 24 years old, or who will turn 18 years old on Oct. 30 or the day of the election.
Layson advised “would-be” candidates to wait for additional issuances of the Comelec as to the rules on how to fie COCs.
He is also asking barangay officials who have plans to get reelected to focus on work while the COC filing has not yet started.
The provincial election supervisor explained barangay officials cannot become candidates if they have not yet filed the COC, so if they start “pabatyag” to their constituents, there is no violation or penalty.
“Kon naka-file ka na sang COC, you are already considered a candidate. Indi ka na dapat magkampanya prior to the start of the campaign period. But before the filing of the COC, wala pa kita sang candidates, meaning any person can talk to anyone kag magpabalo nga tuyo sia magpadalagan,” clarified Layson.
He urged barangay officials not to abuse this before the filing of the COC.
“Magtutok gid sila of course sa ila mandated duties and functions – that is to serve fully and well sa ila nga mga barangay,” he added.
Barangay, SK elections still manual
The October barangay and SK polls will still be manual.
It is complicated and very costly for the government to conduct automated elections, Layson explained.
“In the country, we have thousands of municipalities, how much more kung barangay election? For Iloilo City alone, may ara kita 180 barangays, so very complicated and very costly for the conduct of barangay and SK elections if automated,” said Layson.
Registered voters would manually write the names of the candidates on the ballot.
The Comelec will provide each barangay with a certified list of candidates to serve as a guide or basis for voters to vote./PN
