Comelec: File complaints vs. BSKE bets prematurely campaigning

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia on Sunday encouraged voters to file complaints against candidates for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) who will campaign even before the official campaign period starts on October 19.

Garcia reminded that the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) for the 2023 BSKE will be from August 28 to September 2, while the campaign period will run only from October 19 to October 28.

“Sa kasalukuyan, wala pang kapangyarihan ang Comelec. Hintayin nila ang August 28 at kapag may nagkaso sa amin. Gusto niyo ba ‘yun na may disqualification cases kayo o kaya haharap kayo ng kasong kriminal na may anim na taon na pagkakakulong?” he said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(Currently, the Comelec has no power. They should wait for August 28 and when someone files a case before us. Do you want to have disqualification cases or face a criminal case with up to six years in prison?)

“Sa atin, kanya kanyang bantayan na lang mula sa ating mga kababayan at ‘yung magkakalaban. I-complain, i-reklamo niyo sa amin sa Comelec,” he added.

(Let’s monitor the situation on our own. File a complaint to us at the Comelec.)

According to the Comelec chair, those who will file their COCs will already be considered as candidates for the BSKE set on October 30.

Thus, Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code, which pertains to premature campaigning, will already be applicable to them.

Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code states that “it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.”

Garcia urged Filipinos not to vote for candidates who violate the law.

“Sa ating mga kababayan, bakit niyo iboboto ang mga taong hindi sumusunod sa batas? Kung ganyan pa lang na kandidato pa lang, hindi na sumusunod sa batas, papaano na kapag nahalal na? E di lalo lang nila iva-violate ang batas natin and therefore anong patutunguhan ng sambayanan?” he said.

(Why would you vote for people who do not obey the law? If they are no longer following the law even if they’re just candidates, what more when they’re elected? They will only violate our laws and what will happen to our nation then?)

Garcia said people could document evidence against those who will do premature campaigning in their respective areas, and forward them to local Comelec offices. He also stressed that complainants should testify to prove their claims.

The Comelec earlier allowed the filing of COC in malls and other big public spaces for field offices that cannot accommodate a huge volume of people.

The BSKE will be held on October 30.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it is considering 27 areas to be designated as election areas of concern under the red category for the BSKE.

PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Police Lieutenant General Michael John Dubria said that these red areas are located but not specifically in Maguindanao, North Cotabato, Basilan, Sulu, and the special geographic area. —KG, GMA Integrated News