Poll campaign starts Friday
Tomorrow, May 4, is the start of the official campaign period for candidates in the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
The campaign period will be end on May 12.
Yesterday, the Commission on Elections reminded both candidates and voters of acts considered illegal.
Comelec-7 director Veronico Petalcorin said donating or giving of gifts, whether in cash or in kind, is illegal.
“Even if candidates give freely the donations and don’t give any condition for the individual or entity to vote him, of course, it will affect the conscience of the voter and affect his or her decision making,” he said.
Petalcorin also discouraged the public from accepting money in exchange for votes. He said vote buying is the most common and most abused violation during elections.
Appointing or using special policemen or confidential agents is also considered illegal during the campaign period.
Moreover, incumbent officials running for office again are prohibited from initiating construction or maintenance of barangayfunded roads, bridges or other infrastructure projects.
Ongoing or implemented projects, however, have to be continued.
Petalcorin said candidates are also disallowed from giving salary increases and remunerating privileges, among others.
The officials are also barred from appointing or hiring new employees and creating new positions or giving promotions.
He said a candidate may be allowed to do so only after seeking exemption from Comelec but the poll body also needs to verify and check the urgency of the request.
CAMPAIGN MATERIALS
As far as campaign materials are concerned, Comelec said candidates must post only in common poster areas.
They cannot post or hang materials on trees, electrical posts, and electrical wires.
Should candidates post or hand materials on private properties, the same must have consent from the property's owner. If candidates fail to get consent, the move will be considered an election offense three days after they are ordered to take the material down.
A photo of the private property where a candidate posts his/her poster without consent from the property's owner or other prohibited areas can be used as a prima facie evidence of the offense.
Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Castillano, said one poster area is intended for 5,000 voters. For every increment of 5,000 voters or any fraction thereof, another poster area must be put up. It must be located in public areas such as markets and plazas.
The maximum size for tarpaulins or posters is 2x3 feet.
CANVASSERS
Teachers will again serve as members of the Electoral Board and Barangay Board of Canvassers.
Anna Gujilde, election officer of Cebu City's South District, reminded teachers to review the voter's lists before election day to make sure all pages are complete.
“It is necessary to check the voters' list to make sure all pages are complete kay mao man na ang ilang i-post on election day sa gawas sa classrooms kung asa mutamla ang mga tao after they vote. So we will make sure nga kumpleto ang pages kay basin on the day pa sa election mahibaw-an na naay kulang,” she said.
At least 2,919 teachers will serve South District on election day. The list of teachers for the North District is still being finalized.
Teachers who will serve during the election shall be registered voters and shall not have any consanguinity and affinity relation with any running candidate.
“Election duties are not compulsory for teachers. Dili tanan teachers makaserve kay naay mga relatives na nilansar up to 4th civil degree of consanguinity and affinity ug naa pud ubang on-leave. Although if kulangan ang mga available Department of Education (DepEd) teachers pwede pud ang mga private school teachers or any registered voters ana nga area,” Gujilde said.
The Comelec expects 670,890 voters.
HOTSPOTS
The Cebu Police Provincial Police Office (CCPO) is set to release the final list of hotspots tomorrow.
As of yesterday, CPPO recommended seven barangays in Tuburan, three in Bogo City, three in Daanbantayan, one in Medellin, and one in Tabogon to be included on the list.
All these local government units are in northern Cebu.
“Mayroon pa final validation para hindi madisturbo ang barangay na napangalanan na hindi naman pala kasama,” said CPPO Director, Senior Supt. Edgar Alan Okubo.
He said the barangays were monitored by CPPO's intelligence units due to intense political rivalry of those running for the elections, history of election-related violence, and presence of private armed groups.
Okubo directed station commanders under the responsibility of CPPO to initiate peace covenants. While these may not guarantee peaceful elections, Okubo said signatories will be obligated to follow election guidelines and veer away from violence.
“We requested the chief of police to initiate a peace covenant because we are being proactive para maiwasan ang magulo,” Okubo said.