Comelec sets calendar for b’gay, SK polls

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the calendar of activities for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections despite moves to postpone the upcoming polls.

Through Resolution No. 10177, the Comelec has scheduled Sept. 23 to Oct. 30, 2017 as the election period for the barangay and SK elections.

The Comelec said those intending to run in the October elections can file their certificates of candidacy (COC) from Sept. 23 to Sept. 30.

The campaign period will run from Oct. 13 to 21.

During the election period, a gun ban shall be implemented while the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates shall be prohibited.

Also prohibited will be the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; and coercing, threatening, intimidating, or terrorizing any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties.

Transfer of detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers; organizing or maintaining reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces; and suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer shall not be allowed, as well.

Prohibited acts during the campaign period will include removing, destroying, obliterating, defacing, tampering or preventing distribution of lawful election propaganda; making any donation or gift in cash or in kind; appointing or using special policemen, special/confidential agents or the like; and using armored land, water or air craft.

Policemen and provincial guards shall be barred from acting as bodyguards or security guards of public official or candidates during the campaign period.

Construction or maintenance of barangay funded roads and bridges; and appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new position, promotion, giving salary increases, remuneration or privileges are all prohibited, too.

From the eve until the day of the election, the Comelec shall impose a liquor ban and prohibit candidates from campaigning, and giving and offering food or anything of value to voters.

Casting of votes shall be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in all polling precincts nationwide.

All those who will have run in the elections shall be required to file Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE) until Nov. 22.

‘Creeping authoritarianism’

Novaliches Bishop emeritus Teodoro Bacani warned of a “creeping authoritarianism” with President Duterte’s proposal that he be allowed to appoint barangay officials notwithstanding the scheduled barangay and SK elections this year.

“We are slowly becoming an authoritarian government… that is what you call a creeping authoritarianism,” Bacani, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, said in a recent radio interview.

The prelate added: “People are slowly being pushed towards authoritarian. Worse, the people are allowing it. Before you know it, our President will turn out to be a dictator in the end.”

Last Monday, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers filed House Bill 5359 that aims to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections to May 2020 while allowing the President to appoint officials.

Duterte earlier claimed that 40 percent of the barangay chieftains are involved in illegal drugs.

Bacani believed that the President should not be allowed to pick barangay officials because it is against the essence of democracy. –