BY MARY JOY CAVAÑAS
ILOILO City – Another candidate for the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in this city has received a show-cause order from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) due to alleged premature campaigning.
The complaint against Lornie Jordan, who is running for chieftain in Barangay San Pedro, Molo, was lodged by incumbent Punong Barangay Karl John Lapascua. He cited an alleged mass gathering with the beneficiaries of Tulong Paghahanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers, according to Jonathan Sayno, Election Assistant II of Iloilo City Comelec.
Lapascua and Jordan are the only candidates contesting the punong barangay position in San Pedro, Sayno noted. Jordan has been given three days to respond.
“There are claims that he [Jordan] had a mass gathering. Pictures show many people gathered, wearing t-shirts. Hence, our regional director issued a show-cause order,” said Sayno.
“If the Comelec find s that he violated Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits premature campaigning outside the campaign period, he may face disqualification,” Sayno further explained.
On Sept. 21, six barangay and two SK candidates in Barangay Bo. Obrero, Lapuz received show-cause orders. These candidates were:
* James Conlu – incumbent barangay kagawad, running for barangay captain
* Ricardo Diño – incumbent punong barangay, running for barangay kagawad
* Loreto Arenal – incumbent kagawad
* Rezalino Elesis – running for kagawad
* Darryl Depalubos – running for kagawad
* Edward John De Guzman – running for kagawad
* Yanni Panaguiton – running for SK chair
* Kevin Cristobal – running for SK kagawad
Conlu, however, clarified that the photos, which allegedly showed their campaigning activities, were actually taken before the Certificate of Candidacy (COC) filing period. All eight candidates have since responded to the show-cause order.
According to the poll body’s regulations, it is an election offense for a candidate to campaign from the start of the COC filing until Oct. 18. The official campaign period will commence on Oct. 19 and end on Oct. 28./PN
