All systems go
ABILL is pending at the House of Representatives to once again postpone the Barangay elections to October, 2018. However, there appears to be no bill pending at the Senate pushing for the same measure. Several senators’ publicly declaring their opposition to another delay and the Palace’s reiteration that it wants the elections to push through as scheduled, seems to indicate that it’s an all-systems-go situation.
With about 60 days to go before the 2018 Barangay and SK elections on May 14, it’s time to recap what needs to be done to get ready for the long delayed and twice postponed electoral exercise.
For the month of March, the only activity that needs attention is the deadline for the filing of requests or petitions to transfer polling places or voting centers, which falls on March 31. As a matter of procedure, Comelec uses as voting centers public schools or buildings previously utilized in previous electoral exercises. The usual grounds for transfer of voting centers is when the building previously can no longer be used. Examples of this is when the building is burned down, got flooded or demolished.
For the month of April, the important
date to remember is April 14. On that day, candidates can start filing their certificates of candidacy with the local Comelec office of the city/municipality. Now is the best time to secure the forms from the local Comelec office to make sure you have the appropriate documents.Study the forms to make sure that you get all the information right. If you have questions, ask the Comelec personnel for assistance. Candidates should remember that the last day for them to file their COC is on April 20. Individuals holding appointive positions in the government are deemed resigned from their position upon filing of their COC. Typically, candidates like to file on the last day as it nears the deadline. So expect a little chaos and confusion in the Comelec offices due to late and last-minute activities.
April 14 is also the start of the Election Period, which lasts until May 21, 2018. Again, we all need to be reminded of what is allowed and prohibited during the election period:
1. Carrying of firearms or other deadly weapons.
2. Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates.
3. Coercing, threatening, intimidating, or terrorizing any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or
duties. (Until proclamation of winning candidates)
4. Transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service including public school teachers.
5. Organizing or maintaining reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces.
6. Suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer.
Persons who wish to carry their licensed firearms during the election period must apply for an exemption with Comelec. Gun exemption forms are readily available from Come lec. Candidates who, because of security concerns, need to apply for security personnel, may likewise file for an exemption with Comelec.
Barangay elections may seem unimportant to those who cannot identify with the personalities and the positions involved but its relevance must never be underscored, if we want to preserve and uphold the most basic tenets of democracy.
Let us give this barangay elections the attention that it deserves and vote wisely for the qualified and capable community leaders who can best shape policy in the grassroots level.