ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has confirmed that elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials can openly campaign for their preferred candidates in the upcoming May 12 midterm elections. However, they are prohibited from using public funds, government personnel, or facilities in their campaign activities.
Comelec Minute Resolution 24-1001 allows barangay and SK officials to engage in partisan political activities. This decision aligns with a Supreme Court ruling stating that elected barangay and SK officials are not included in the list of “prohibited officials” barred from campaigning.
Despite this freedom, Iloilo City Comelec Election Assistant II Jonathan Sayno reminded barangay officials to adhere to election laws.
“They are allowed to campaign, but they must not use government resources such as funds, personnel, or facilities. They also cannot solicit funds to support campaign-related activities,” Sayno said.
Comelec will also launch “Operation Baklas” starting March 28 to remove illegal campaign materials. Sayno urged candidates and their supporters to voluntarily take down posters and banners placed outside designated areas at least 72 hours before the official campaign period begins.
“We will strictly implement the removal of campaign materials that do not comply with Comelec guidelines. Candidates and their teams should ensure that their posters are only placed in designated areas,” he added.
Liga ng mga Barangay – Iloilo City federation president Ma. Irene Ong welcomed Comelec’s clarification, saying it provides barangay officials with a clearer role in the elections.
“This makes our campaign efforts easier now that we are no longer restricted. Before, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) prohibited us from openly campaigning, so we had to do it discreetly,” Ong said.
However, she assured that barangay officials will not force their constituents to vote for specific candidates, emphasizing that political support remains a personal choice.
In 2021, the DILG warned barangay officials against engaging in partisan political activities, citing their role as non-partisan public servants.
With the new ruling, barangay and SK officials are now free to take part in election campaigns, unlike regular government employees who remain barred from political involvement./PN
