SK polls now have anti-dynasty clause

A clause addressing “anti-political dynasty” is now included in this year's guidelines for the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC) for the barangay and SK elections.

"Must not be related within the 2nd degree of consanguinity and affinity to any incumbent national, provincial, city, municipal or barangay official in the locality where the aspirant seeks to be elected," read Section 3 of the Commission of Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10196.

Comelec Election Officer Ferdinand Gujilde said that this is a new addition, in response to political dynasty.

He added that the degree of affinity or consanguinity can be determined through drawing a family tree diagram.

In the COC form, an oath stating that an aspirant is indeed not related to any incumbent elected government official must be signed.

The candidate will be disqualified if proven that he/ she still submitted a form despite knowing that he/she has a 2nd degree family member who holds an elected seat of government.

“Naa silay oath na mowarrant sila nga dili sila related. The oath is already part of the COC,” Gujilde said.

Moreover, an aspirant must be a resident of the barangay where he or she seeks to be elected for at least a year.

Both SK and Barangay posts require one to be at least 18 years old. For SK, maximum age is 24 years old while the barangay posts has no maximum age limit.

Since 18 years old and above are qualified for both SK and barangay positions, a clause under Section 4 states that no person is eligible to run for more than one office at the same election time. If this happens, none of the COC that the aspirant filed will be merited.

Specifically for SK, an aspirant should also be a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan.

Moreover, an aspirant must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude.

Gujilde also emphasized that an aspirant is “not a member of any political party, group or coalition of political parties” as stated under Section 7 of Resolution 10196.

“Teams (in the barangay level) are not sanctioned by law and wala man gidala ang name sa parties. Walay prohibition but it's actually a circumvention of the prohibition,” he said.

The filing will commence on September 23 to 30 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The officials to be elected on October 23 are one punong barangay and seven members of the Sangguniang Barangay. For SK, one chairperson and seven members. —