ILOILO City – Today starts the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the Oct. 30 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
But the Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned campaigners – they face disqualification and a criminal charge of premature campaigning.
According to Atty. Dennis Ausan, Comelec Region 6 director, all election offices are open from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 to accept COCs.
“Open kami, even though Aug. 28 is a holiday, until Sept. 2, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Even Saturdays and holidays naga-duty kami,” said Ausan.
Aspirants are reminded to secure the correct COC form based on the position they wish to run for, which is available at https://comelec.gov.ph.
“They should be prudent enough nga mag-check sang tanan para correct ang ila form kay nali ma-technical sila, ma-deem ‘not filed’ ang ila COC,” added Ausan.
Who is qualified to file a COC?
There are five basic qualifications to be met to run for barangay and SK elections. These are the following:
* must be a Filipino citizen
* a resident of the barangay where they intend to run for at least one year before election day
* must be a registered voter
* able to read and write
* aged 18 and above on barangay election and 18 to 24 years old for SK
“Dapat indi sila [SK aspirants] maglapaw sa 24. Magsiling ka 24, dapat indi 24 and one day old kundi 24 years old ka gid that day,” Ausan emphasized.
When should campaigning start?
“Once they file their COC, anytime from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, from then on up to Oct. 18, indi gid sila puede maka-kampanya,” Ausan said.
The official campaign period is only from Oct. 18 to 28, he stressed.
A candidate doing premature campaigning faces a charge for violating election rules and regulations , and may be disqualified.
Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code states: “It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.”
Acts considered premature campaigning includes:
* putting up or attaching posters or campaign materials in public places
* going to houses to campaign
* even posting posters or campaign materials on social media sites
“Basta may premature campaign, it is already an election offense case just like sa liquor ban and gun ban. Pareho lang penalty, though sa incumbent kon may ara sila administration infraction puede sila ma-file-an administrative case,” said Ausan.
The important dates for the 2023 barangay and SK elections are:
* Aug. 28 to Nov. 29 – election period, gun ban
* Aug. 28 to Sept. 2 – filing of certificate of candidacy
* Sept. 3 to Oct. 18 – campaigning is prohibited
* Oct. 19 to Oct. 28 – campaign period
* Oct. 29 to Oct. 30 – campaigning is prohibited, liquor ban
* Oct. 30 – election day (voting hours from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
* Nov. 29 – last day to file a Statement of Contributions and Expenditures./PN
