Comelec extends filing period for Disqualification cases

MANILA — Disqualification complaints against barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) candidates can now be filed within five days after discovering an offense they committed, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

“It is vital to fix the periods for filing of petitions for disqualification to accomplish the campaign of the Commission against premature campaigning, vote-buying, and vote-selling, to protect the integrity of the elections and enable the true determination of the people’s choice,” the Comelec said in a resolution.

There are three amendments to filing disqualification petitions.

First, a petition must be filed within five days, but not later than the date of a candidate’s proclamation, after discovering that Section 68 of the Omnibus Election Code was violated.

Second, if a candidate was sentenced for an offense involving moral turpitude, removed from office or convicted for violating the oath of allegiance as stated in Section 40 of the Local Government Code of 1991, a petition must be filed from the time of filing a certificate of candidacy (COC), but not later than the date of proclamation.

All other grounds for disqualification must be filed within five days of the COC filing. This is the same for petitions to cancel a COC or declare a nuisance candidate.

As of Sept. 8, the Comelec had received 160 petitions to disqualify, cancel and declare a nuisance candidate.

Among that number, there are 87 docketed petitions, with 13 petitions to declare nuisance candidates, 52 petitions to deny due course or cancel COCs and 22 petitions to disqualify.

There are 73 undocketed petitions due to lack of hard copies and non-payment of filing fees.

Meanwhile, Comelec’s provincial election supervisor Lydia Florentino-Pangilinan reminded Pampanga candidates to not engage in premature campaigning.

“During the election period, candidates are allowed to use lawful election propaganda. These are campaign materials that follow the allowed size. For posters, it should not exceed 2 feet by 3 feet. For other decals, it must be within eight- and one-half inches in width and 14 inches in length,” she explained, noting that campaign materials should not be used before Oct. 19.

Candidates have 10 days, from Oct. 19-28, for their election campaign.

Smooth transition

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has ordered the inventory of barangay properties and money accountabilities to ensure a smooth transition after the BSKE.

“In the past, there was no proper turnover of the properties of the barangays,” DILG Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said in a radio interview.

Iringan noted that incumbent barangay and SK officials’ term will end on Nov. 30.

Despite a petition to postpone the BSKE in Negros Oriental, Iringan said the polls will proceed in all 42,001 barangays nationwide.

“Comelec and the Philippine National Police (PNP) continue to assess the situation in different areas in the country in case they see a justifiable reason (to postpone the election) but as of now there is no decision yet in Negros Oriental,” he added.

Areas of concern as mentioned by the PNP include the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Abra, he noted.

“Last week, a violent shooting in the province of Abra was reported. It is very unfortunate, that’s the reason why the PNP is continuously monitoring the situation not only in Abra but in other parts of the country,” Iringan said.

SK reforms

Elected youth officials after the BSKE will benefit from Republic Act 11768, which introduced reforms in the SK system, according to Sen. Sonny Angara.

“We hope that the reforms embodied in the new law will respond to the challenges to SK’s credibility and entice more young people to join SK,” Angara said yesterday.

“Critics of the SK have questioned its relevance and see it as being politicized,” he noted.

Angara said the new law signed last year provides clear guidelines on programs that youth officials can implement, such as the provision of student stipends, food, book and transportation allowances, sports and wellness projects and skills training.

SK members, secretaries and treasurers will also be entitled to allowances that are included in the SK funds. (philstar)