Comelec wants May 14 BSKE declared a holiday
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is asking President Duterte to declare May 14, 2018 as a special non-working holiday in connection with the holding of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections or BSKE.
In Resolution No. 10301, the poll body said the Filipinos must be given opportunity to exercise freely their right of suffrage.
“Now, therefore, the Commission, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code and other election laws, resolved, as it hereby resolves, to request the President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to declare
May 14, 2018 as a special (non-working) holiday throughout the country in connection with the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections,” read the resolution dated April 12.
The Resolution was signed by Comelec Acting Chairman Commissioner Al Parreno, Commissioners Luie Guia, Rowena Guanzon, and Sheriff Abas.
In a related development, the Department of interior and Local Government (DILG) has vowed to cover all bases to ensure a fair and peaceful May 14 polls.
The Comelec clarified that aspirants are not required to submit their bio-data and campaign platform when they file their Certificates of Candidacy (COCs).
“It actually has no bearing in the filing of COCs. The Election Officer will accept the COC forms, with or without bio-data and program of government,” the poll body said in its Twitter account @Comelec in answer to a query that they receive.
“This will help you in informing and educating voters in voting wisely come campaign period,” added the Comelec.
Applicants only need to personally file their COCs at the Office of the Election Officer in three legible copies, sworn before a notary public or any official authorized to administer an oath, has an attached passport size photo in each copy, and a documentary stamp affixed.
The period for the filing of COC started Saturday, April 14 with Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez noting that more people filed their COCs on the first day.
“Preliminary data also indicates that there have been more filers for Barangay positions than Sangguniang Kabataan; that a significant number of filers are senior citizens; and that close to half of the filers are female,” he said in a statement.
“Over-all, it can be safely said that the first day of the filing of COCs has gone off without a hitch and that the Comelec is confident that this trend will continue until the last day of filing, on the 20th of April,” added Jimenez.
176,481 file COCs Data from the Comelec revealed that as of April 14, there are 1,986 individuals that submitted their COCs for Barangay Chairman and 11,996 for Barangay Kagawad.
The data also showed that there are more men than women who filed their COCs for both posts. For Barangay Chairman: 1,560 male compared to 426 female. For Barangay Kagawad 8,296 male compared to 3,700 female.
The same goes for those who filed their COCs for SK Elections.
Out of the 845 who filed their COCs for SK Chairman, 532 are male and 313 are female.
For SK Kagawad: of the 2,654 who filed 1,514 are male and 1,140 are female.
Peaceful, fair elections The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) vowed to cover all bases to ensure a fair and peaceful holding of the BSKE.
DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said that there is a clear declining trend in election-related violence during the past two barangay elections.
The DILG spokesman cited factors like an overall decrease of crime volume in the country, the prevailing Martial Law in Mindanao, the revived peace talks between the government and Communist rebels and the impending passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law will contribute to a peaceful conduct of BSKE 2018.
“Most of the time, the presence of lawless elements such as armed groups makes barangay elections heated. But if security measures are in place, which we expect to happen, we are confident that the downward trend in terms of violence will continue,” said Malaya.
However, Malaya didn’t discount the fact that there are areas prone to election violence or “election hotspots” where the presence of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be concentrated.
The PNP has released the guidelines and Procedure for a Secure and Fair Synchronized BSKE 2018 (SAFE 2018) which shall provide a comprehensive security coverage in BSKE in partnership with Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and other government agencies.
Under the said Guidelines, all PNP units are on alert during the election period and shall ensure compliance of barangay officials with pertinent laws and rules before, during, and after elections; oversee and enforce peace and order measures for the elections; and promote well-informed voting and active participation of people in the elections to combat vote-buying and other related illegal activities.
No-el in Marawi
Comelec Spokesperson Director James Jimenez confirmed the suspension of the BSKE in Marawi saying that an assessment will take place to gauge if said the suspension can already be lifted after three months.
He also said that the incumbent officers will be on holdover status until the result of the assessment comes out.
Village chief shot dead CAMP GEN. PANTALEON GARCIA, IMUS, Cavite – A long-time barangay (village) chairman was shot dead by two motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Julugan VI, Tanza in Cavite province, police reported on Sunday.
The shooting happened on Saturday, the first day of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election and gun ban period.
The fatality, identified as 56-year-old Leonilo Dones Arbonida, was on his third and last term as chairman of Barangay Julugan VI.
Arbonida sustained three bullet wounds and was declared dead at Tanza Family Clinic.
The gunmen fled on board a motorcycle (plate number unknown) after shooting Arbonida.
The Tanza police reported that the assailants attacked Arbonida while he was at his sari-sari (variety) store at 6:30 a.m.
The motive of the attack was not immediately known.
Senior Superintendent William M. Segun, Cavite Police Provincial Office (PPO) director, ordered a thorough investigation of the incident.
Arbonida was the fourth barangay chairman who was shot dead by the socalled riding-in-tandem men in Cavite province in 11 months.
Hotspots
The Philippine Army (PA) has identified at least 31 barangays in Oriental Mindoro which are possible election hotspots due to the presence and influence of the New People’s Army (NPA) which it claimed will again resort to collection of revolutionary tax and permit-to-campaign fees.
Lieutenant Colonel Dennis C. Gutierrez, battalion commander of PA’s 4th Infantry Battalion said that they have also identified the “baseng gerilya” (guerilla base) of the NPA where it freely operates and “sonang gerilya” (guerilla zone) where encounters between the rebel group and the military usually take place.
Lt. Col. Gutierrez said barangays Hagan and Lisap in Bongabong, Panaytayan in Mansalay and Binli in Bulalacao are considered as “threatened barangays” and where heavy NPA activities were noted.
Senior Superintendent Christopher C. Birung, provincial director of Oriental Mindoro Police Provincial Office (PPO) said they have laid down a comprehensive security plan to ensure public safety by implementing the resolutions issued by the Comelec such as the ban on firearms which officially started on April 14 and will last until May 21. Liquor ban will be implemented from May 13 to 14. (With reports from Anthony Giron and Jerry J. Alcayde)