Comelec can’t bar ‘narco-bets’ from Barangay, SK elections

BATANGAS CITY — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) cannot prevent so-called “narco-politicians” or those listed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of having links to the illegal drugs trade from filing their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

This was underscored yesterday by lawyer Gloria Ramos- Petallo, ComelecBatangas provincial supervisor, citing the poll body’s ministerial duties when it comes to accepting CoCs.

“Our election officers as their ministerial duty will accept their CoC, there are grounds under the law to disqualify candidates after filing CoC pero yung dahil sa narcolist, hindi siya ground (for disqualification),” Petallo said.

Her statement comes amid the DILG’s recent announcement that it has monitored 9,000 barangay officials to be involved in illegal drug activities.

Petallo said that even in the previous elections, when a Comelec resolution required candidates to attach to their CoCs a drug test result, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled it to be “unconstitutional.”

She said that turning up positive in a drug test is not included as one of the grounds for disqualification from seeking an elective post.

What the law prevents, Petallo said – citing the anti-dynasty provision in the SK Reform Act – is the candidacy of any person related to an incumbent elected government official up to the second degree of consanguinity.

“Kung halimbawa apo ng Presidente, hindi siya pwede kumandidato, (The President’s grandson for example, he or she cannot run as SK candidate) Petallo said.