Comelec asks candidates to spend less

IN Benguet, barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates for May 2018 polls are advised to spend less.

As the election campaign period officially starts on May 4 to May 12, La Trinidad acting

election officer Romeo Aguilar Jr. advised candidates to keep campaign expenses to a minimum.

“For the candidates not to spend much kumbaga maging expensive ang kanilang kampanya and abide by the rules of the election and the filing of statement of contributions and expenditures,” said Aguilar.

Campaigning barangay and SK candidates are further advised not to campaign before and on the day of the elections on May 13 and 14 as well as not to go beyond the allowable size of election propaganda.

Comelec rules prohibit the display of campaign materials outside authorized common poster areas, in public places or private property, destroying distribution of any lawful election propaganda, giving bribes to corrupt the integrity of elections and threatening voters.

Aguilar also advised voters to exercise their right to choose their leader adding election preparation in the Benguet is going smoothly.

The Comelec officer said deadline for filing Certificate of Candidacy ended April 20.

“After these we will conduct information campaigns in each barangay then we will be also preparing for the briefing for the candidates scheduled next week and briefing of teachers,” Aguilar added.

The La Trinidad Comelec Office noted 41,050 registered voters comprised 15-30 registered for Sangguniang Kabataan Election with 13,746 voters and voters from the 16 barangays of the municipality.

A total of 258 precincts will be designated within the Benguet capital town together with 348 members of the electoral board mainly comprised of Department of Education public school teachers and 30 non-DepEd personnel.

Voting centers have been established mostly in barangays Betag, Balili, Poblacion and Pico.

During election period which started April 14 until May 21, the Comelec prohibits carrying of firearms, deadly weapons, the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, organizing or maintaining reaction forces, strike or similar forces, and transfer of officers and employees in the civil service including public school teachers.