Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Resolution No. 9029 - Guidelines on the Filing of Certificates of Candidacy for Barangay & SK Elections

 RESOLUTION No. 9029 


GUIDELINES ON THE FILING OF CERTIFICATES OF CANDIDACY IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCTOBER 25, 2010 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS

Promulgation: 21 September 2010




The Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, Republic Act No. 9164, and other election laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the following guidelines on the filing of certificates of candidacy in connection with the October 25, 2010 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.


SECTION 1. Officials to be elected. - The officials to be elected in each barangay are the following:
(a) For the Barangay Elections:
One (1) Punong Barangay and seven (7) Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad.
(b) For the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections:
One (1) Chairman and seven (7) Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad.
SEC. 2. Qualifications. - (a) Candidates for Punong Barangay and Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad must be:
(1) Filipino citizens;
(2) At least 18 years old on election day;
(3) Able to read and write Filipino or any local language or dialect; and
(4) Registered voters of the barangay where they intend to run for office and residents thereof for at least one (1) year immediately preceding the day of the election.
(b) Candidates for Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman and Sanggguniang Kabataan Kagawad must be:
(1) Filipino citizens;
(2) At least fifteen (15) years old but less than eighteen (18) years old on election day;
(3) Able to read and write Filipino, English or the local dialect;
(4) Qualified members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan of the barangay where they intend to run for office and residents thereof at least one (1) year immediately preceding the election; and
(5) Must not have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
SEC. 3. Disqualifications. - The following are disqualified from running for any elective barangay and sangguniang kabataan positions:
(a) Those sentenced by final judgment for an offense involving moral turpitude or for an offense punishable by one (1) year or more of imprisonment, and within two (2) years after service of sentence;
(b) Those removed from office as a result of an administrative case;
(c) Those convicted by final judgment for violating the oath of allegiance to the Republic;
(d) Those with dual citizenship unless at the time of filing of the certificate of candidacy, he makes a personal and sworn renunciation of any and all foreign citizenship before any public officer authorized to administer an oath;
(e) Fugitives from justice in criminal or nonpolitical cases here or abroad. A fugitive from justice includes not only those who flee after conviction to avoid punishment but likewise those who, after being charged, flee to avoid prosecution;
(f) Permanent residents in a foreign country or those who have acquired the right to reside abroad and continue to avail themselves of the same right after the effectivity of the Local Government Code;
(g) The insane or feeble-minded;
(h) Any candidate who, in an action or protest in which he is a party, is declared by final decision of a competent court to be guilty of having, or is found by the Commission to have committed the following acts shall be disqualified from continuing as a candidate or, if already elected, from holding office:
(1) Given money or other material consideration to influence or induce voters to vote for or against a candidate, or to abstain from voting, or to corrupt government officials and employees performing election functions;
(2) Committed acts of terrorism to enhance his candidacy;
(3) Spent in his election campaign an amount in excess of that allowed by law;
(4) Solicited, received, or made any contribution prohibited under Secs. 89, 95, 96, 97 and 104 of the Omnibus Election Code;
(5) Violated any of Secs. 83, 86 and 261 (pars. e, k, v and cc, sub par. 6) of the same Code; or
(6) Those who have been elected and served for three (3) consecutive terms in the same position. Voluntary renunciation of office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of service for the full term for which the elective official was elected.
SEC. 4. Candidates holding appointive or elective office. - Appointive barangay, city/municipal, provincial, regional, or national officials or employees, or those in the civil or military service, including those in government-owned or controlled corporations, shall be considered ipso facto resigned from office and must vacate the same at the start of the day of filing of his certificate of candidacy for a barangay or sangguniang kabataan office.

For incumbent municipal, city, provincial and national elective officials running for any barangay elective position shall also be considered ipso facto resigned upon the filing of their certificates of candidacy.

SEC. 5. Certificate of candidacy. - Any person running as candidate for Punong Barangay, Sangguniang Barangay Kagawad, Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman or Sangguniang Kabataan Kagawad shall file a sworn certificate of candidacy in triplicate in the form attached herein as Annexes "A", "A-1", "B" and "B-1" respectively.  The format of the certificate of candidacy may be obtained from the Election Officer, free of charge or may be downloaded from the Comelec website at www.comelec.gov.ph.

The certificate of candidacy shall be filed during regular working hours, from 8:00 o'clock in the morning to 5:00 o'clock in the afternoon, from October 1, 2010 to October 13, 2010, inclusive, with the Office of the Election Officer of the city/municipality concerned.  However, on the last day of filing, the Office of the Election Officer shall receive the certificates of candidacy until 12:00 o'clock midnight.

Certificates of candidacy shall be filed personally or through a duly authorized representative who must present a written authorization under oath.  No certificate of candidacy shall be filed or accepted by mail, telegram or facsimile.

No person shall be eligible to run for more than one office, that is, Punong Barangay and Barangay Kagawad, and if he files his certificate of candidacy for more than one office, he shall not be eligible for any one of them. However, before the expiration of the period for the filing of certificate of candidacy, the person who has filed a certificate of candidacy for more than one office may declare under oath the office for which he desires to be elected and cancel the certificate of candidacy for the other office.

In cities/municipalities where there are two or more Election Officers, the certificate of calididacy shall be filed with the Office of the Election Officer having jurisdiction over the barangay where he is a candidate.

The Election Officer or any authorized employee receiving the certificate shall record in separate logbooks, the date and time of receipt of the certificates of candidacy of barangay and sangguniang kabataan candidates. The date and time of receipt shall also be indicated in each copy of the certificate of candidacy.

SEC. 6. Contents of certificate of candidacy. - The certificate of candidacy shall contain the following:
(A) A statement announcing the candidacy of the person filing it;
(b) The position for which he is a candidate;
(c) A statement that he is eligible for said position;
(d) His citizenship, residence and date of birth;
(e) His post office address for election purpose;
(f) His profession or occupation;
(g) A statement that he is eligible for the office he is running for;
(h) A statement that he will support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines and maintain true faith and allegiance thereto, and that he will obey the laws and legal orders promulgated by the duly-constituted authorities;
(i) A declaration that he is not a permanent resident of, or an immigrant to, a foreign country;
(j) That he assumes the obligations imposed by his oath voluntarily, without mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that the facts stated in the certificate of candidacy are true to the best of his knowledge; and
(k) Such other data as may be required by the Commission.
Unless a candidate has officially changed his name through a court approved proceeding, a candidate shall use in his certificate of candidacy the name by which he has been baptized, or if he has not been baptized in any church or religion, the name registered in the office of the local civil registrar or any other name allowed under the provisions of existing law or, in the case of a Muslim, his Hadj name after performing the prescribed religious pilgrimage. However, when there are two (2) or more candidates for the same office with the same name and surname, each candidate, upon being made aware of such fact, shall state his paternal and maternal surnames, except an incumbent who may continue to use the name and surname stated in his certificate of candidacy when he was elected. He may also include one (1) nickname or stage name by which he is generally or popularly known in the locality. Titles such as Don, Hadji, Datu, Atty., Dr. or other words of similar import shall not be allowed.

SEC. 7. Certificates of candidacy filed by persons who are not registered voters or those filed through mail, telegram, facsimile. Effect. - Certificates of candidacy of persons who are not registered voters in the barangay where they intend to run; or those filed through mail, telegram or facsimile shall not be accepted. For this purpose, the Election Officer shall issue a Certification to the persons whose certificate of candidacy has not been accepted.

SEC. 8. Distribution of certificates of candidacy and preparation of list of candidates. - (a) Copies of the certificate of candidacy shall be distributed by the Election Officer as follows:
(1) For Barangay Officials:
  1. First Copy, to the Election Records and Statistics Department, Commission on Elections, Manila;
  2. Second Copy, to be retained by the Election Officer for his file; and
  3. Third Copy, to be retained by the candidate concerned.
(2) For Sangguniang Kabataan Officials:
  1. First copy, to the Election Records and Statistics Department, Commission on Elections, Manila;
  2. Second copy, to be retained by the Election Officer for his file; and
  3. Third copy, to be retained by the candidate concerned.
(b) Immediately after the last day for the filling of certificates of candidacy, the Election Officer shall prepare a certified consolidated list of all candidates for elective Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials per barangay.

(c) Within two (2) days after the last day for the filing of certificates of candidacy, the Election Officer shall transmit to the Election Records and Statistics Department, Commission on Elections, Manila the following:


  1. a copy of the said list of candidates together with the first copy of the certificates of candidacy of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates; and
  2. a list of persons whose certificates of candidacy were not accepted and the reason/s for non-acceptance.
(d) At least seven (7) days before election day or not later than October 18, 2010, the Election Officer shall post copies of said lists in the barangay hall and in three, (3) other conspicuous places in the barangay.

(e) The Election Records and Statistics Department shall acknowledge receipt of said copies and list within two (2) days from receipt thereof.

SEC. 9. Withdrawal of certificate of candidacy. - Any person who has filed a certificate of candidacy may withdraw it at any time before election day. A sworn declaration of withdrawal shall be filed personally, in triplicate with the Office of the Election Officer where the certificate of candidacy was filed. The certificate of candidacy shall be deemed withdrawn upon filing of the sworn declaration of withdrawal.

The declaration of withdrawal shall be distributed in the same manner as the certificates of candidacy, furnishing a copy or copies thereof to the Board(s) of Election Tellers concerned.

The copy for the Election Records and Statistics Department, Commission on Elections, Manila shall be transmitted within twenty-four (24) hours from the filing of the declaration. The Election Records and Statistics Department shall immediately acknowledge receipt thereof.

The filing or withdrawal of a certificate of candidacy shall not affect any civil, criminal or administrative liabilities of the candidate concerned.

SEC. 10. Substitution of candidates. - There shall be no substitution of candidates for sangguniang kabataan elections, but substitution by the spouse shall be allowed for candidates for barangay elections.
The substitute for a candidate who died or suffered permanent incapacity or disqualified by final judgment, may file his certificate of candidacy up to mid-day of election day, 12 o'clock noon of October 25, 2010. If the death or permanent disability should occur between the day before the election and mid-day of election day, the substitute candidate may file the certificate with any Board of Election Tellers (BET) in the political subdivision where he is a candidate.

SEC. 11. Authority of the Election Officer to administer oath. - For purposes of the barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections the Election Officer shall be authorized to administer oaths, free of charge, on all matters related to the conduct of said elections, including the administration of oath to certificates of candidacy.

SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh day after its publication in two (2) daily newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines.

SEC. 13. Dissemination. - The Education and Information Department shall cause the immediate publication of this resolution, give the same the widest dissemination possible and furnish copies thereof to all Regional Election Directors, Provincial Election Supervisors and Election Officers.


S0 ORDERED.
(Sgd.) JOSE A.R. MELO
Chairman
(Sgd.) RENE V. SARMIENTO
Commissioner
(Sgd.) NICODEMO T. FERRER
Commissioner
(Sgd.) LUCENITO N. TAGLE
Commissioner
(Sgd.) ARMANDO C. VELASCO
Commissioner
(Sgd.) ELIAS R. YUSOPH
Commissioner
(Voted in favor of this resolution, but on
official business at the time of its signing.)
GREGORIO Y. LARRAZABAL
Commissioner

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

When Is the Schedule for Filing Certificates of Candidacy for Brgy & SK Elections?



RESOLUTION No. 9019

CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES AND PERIODS OF CERTAIN PROHIBITED ACTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCTOBER 25, 2010 SYNCHRONIZED SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN AND BARANGAY ELECTIONS.

Promulgation:   31 August 2010





The Commission on Elections, pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the Omnibus Election Code and other election laws, RESOLVED to prescribe, as it hereby prescribes, the following calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts in connection with the October 25, 2010 Synchronized Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Elections.
DATE/PERIOD
ACTIVITIES
PROHIBITED ACTS
August 25, 2010 (WED) to September 5, 2010 (SUN)
Inspection of Polling Places (Sec. 163, OEC).

August 31, 2010 (TUE)
Last day to file petitions for inclusion or exclusion with the proper municipal/ metropolitan trial court (Sections 22 and 23, COMELEC Resolution No. 9005).

September 10, 2010 (FRI)
Submission to the Commission by the heads of reaction/strike forces or similar forces of a complete list of all its members. Sec. 261 (u), OEC).

September 25, 2010 (SAT)
Last day to constitute the members of the Board of Election Tellers and members of the Barangay Boards of Canvassers (Sections 40 and 46, OEC).

September 25, 2010 (SAT)
Last day of posting the Computerized Voters' List (CVL) for purposes of the Synchronized Elections of Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Officials (Sec. 30, R.A. 8189 in relation to Sec. 28, R.A. 8436)

September 25, 2010 (SAT) - October 25, 2010 (MON)

Issuance of appointments, promotions, creation of new positions, or giving of salary increases in government offices, agencies or instrumentalities (Sec. 261 (g), OEC).
September 25, 2010 (SAT) - October 25, 2010 (MON)

Raising of funds thru dances, lotteries, cockfights, etc. (Sec. 97, OEC).
September 25, 2010 (SAT) - November 10, 2010 (WED) (30 DAYS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE ELECTION AND 15 DAYS THEREAFTER)
ELECTION PERIOD
Alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct (Sec. 5, R.A. 8189).


Illegal release of prisoners (Sec. 261 (n), OEC n relation to Sec. 28, R.A. 8436).


Carrying of firearm/deadly weapons, including wearing of uniforms, insignias, etc. (Sec. 261 (p), (q) and (s) as amended by Sec. 32, R.A. 7166).


Organizing or maintaining reaction/strike forces or similar forces (Sec. 261 (u), OEC)


Transfer and detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers (Sec. 261 (h), OEC.


Suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer (Sec. 261 (x), OEC).


Use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates whether or not such bodyguards are regular members of officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or other government law enforcement agency (Sec. 261 (t), OEC as amended by Sec. 33, R.A. 7166).
October 1, 2010 (FRI) - October 13, 2010 (WED)
Filing of Certificates of Candidacy (Sec. 39, OEC).

October 1-4, 2010
Issuance of notice of inspection and verification of the completeness of the Voters' Registration Records compiled in the Book of Voters for each barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan precinct (Sec. 31, R.A. 8189 n relation to Sec. 28, R.A. 8436).

October 5, 2010 (TUE) - October 10, 2010 (SUN)
Inspection and verification of completeness of the Voters' Registration Records and sealing of the Book of Voters for each barangay and sangguniang kabataan precinct (Sec. 31, R.A. 8189).

October 14, 2010 (THU) - October 23, 2010 (SAT)
CAMPAIGNING
Holding of barangay assemblies and candidates fora (Sec. 47, OEC).
Posting, displaying, distributing and using illegal campaign materials (Sec. 85, OEC).
October 18, 2010 (MON)
Last day of filing of disqualification cases against a candidate (Sec. 78, OEC).



Removing, destroying, obliterating, defacing, tampering or preventing distribution of lawful election propaganda (Sec. 83, OEC).


Making any donation or gift in cash or in kind, etc. (Sec. 104, OEC).


Use of armored/land/water/air craft (Sec. 261 (r), OEC).


Appointing or using special policemen, special/confidential agents or the like (Sec. 261 (m), OEC).


Construction or maintenance of provincial, city, municipal or barangay-funded, roads and bridges. (Sec. 3, R.A. 6679).
October 24, 2010 (SUN)
EVE OF ELECTION
Campaigning (Sec. 3, OEC).


Selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor, etc. (Sec. 261 (dd), (1), OEC).


Giving, accepting, free transportation, food, drinks and things of value (Sec. 89, OEC).


(Note: Acts mentioned in three preceding paragraphs: Secs. 3, 261 (dd) (1), and 89, OEC, are prohibited until election day).
October 25, 2010 (MON)
ELECTION DAY


Casting of votes (From 7:00 o'clock a.m. to 3:00 o'clock p.m. (Sec. 190, OEC)
Vote buying and vote selling (Sec. 261 (a), OEC).

Counting and canvassing of votes and proclamation of winning candidates (immediately after 3:00 o'clock p.m.).
Voting more than once or in substitution of another (Sec. 261(z), (2) and (3), OEC).


Soliciting votes or undertaking any propaganda for or against any candidate or any political party within the polling place or within thirty (30) meters thereof (Sec. 261 (cc), (6),OEC).


Selling, furnishing, offering buying, serving or taking intoxicating liquor, etc. (Sec. 261 (dd), (1), OEC).


Opening of booths or stalls for the sale, etc., of wares, merchandise or refreshments within thirty (30) meters radius from the polling place (Sec. 261 (dd), (21, OEC).


Giving and/or accepting free transportation, food, drinks and things of value (Sec. 89, OEC).


Holding of fairs, cockfights, boxing, horse races or similar sports. (Sec. 261, (dd), (3), OEC).
October 30, 2010 (SAT) - November 10, 2010 (WED)
Filing of sworn statements of election contributions and expenditures (Sec. 14, R.A. 7166).


The Deputy Executive Director for Operations and concurrent Acting Executive Director shall immediately implement this Resolution.
The Education and Information Department (EID) is directed to cause the dissemination of this Resolution and its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.
This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh (7) day affer its publication.
S0 ORDERED.

(Sgd.) JOSE A.R. MELO
Chairman
(Sgd.) RENE V. SARMIENTO
Commissioner
(Sgd.) NICODEMO T. FERRER
Commissioner
(Sgd.) LUCENITO N. TAGLE
Commissioner
(Sgd.) ARMANDO C. VELASCO 
Commissioner
(On Official Business)
ELIAS R. YUSOPH
Commissioner
(Sgd.) GREGORIO Y. LARRAZABAL
Commissioner

Monday, August 16, 2010

COMELEC seeks public support identify flying voters

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has called on the public to help them identify flying voters who applied for registration during the recently concluded voters’ registration period in connection with the October 25, 2010 Barangay elections.
In a statement, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez announced that COMELEC Offices nationwide is set to post on Monday, August 16, 2010, a list of voters who applied for registration.
“We are calling on the public to help us identify flying voters by looking at the list of registrants that will be posted outside the Office of the Election Officer in your area on Monday. If you see people who are not residents in your Barangay, report it to your Election Officer so that they may be excluded from the voters list, if necessary,” said Jimenez.
Republic Act 8189 or the Voters Registration Act of 1996 states that any voter, candidate, or representative of a registered political party may challenge, in writing and under oath, any application for registration.
Opposition to contest a registrant’s application, said Jimenez, will be heard by the Election Registration Boards (ERB) for approval or disapproval.
According to COMELEC Resolution 9007, the last day to file opposition to the applications for registration/transfer of registration records is on August 18, 2010. Election Registration Boards (ERBs) will be hearing all applications on August 20, 2010.

Resolution No. 9016 - Filing of Request for Transfer of Polling Places

RESOLUTION No. 9016

 IN THE MATTER OF FIXING THE DEADLINE FOR THE FILING OF PETITION/REQUEST FOR TRANSER OF POLLING PLACES IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCTOBER 25, 2010 SYNCHRONIZED SK AND BARANGAY ELECTIONS

          WHEREAS, Section 153 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), provides in part that, “No location of polling place shall be changed within forty-five (45) days before a regular election and thirty (30) days before a special election or a referendum, or plebiscite, except in case it is destroyed or it cannot be used”;

          WHEREAS, for the upcoming Synchronized Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Elections to be held on October 25, 2010, the aforementioned prohibition will commence on September 10, 2010;

          WHEREAS, the Commission foresees several petitions/requests from the registered voters or political parties for the transfer of their polling places in connection with the SK and Barangay Elections;

          WHEREAS, in view of the timelines prescribed by the Commission in the performance of pre-election activities and other matters related thereto, the period, aforementioned can still be complied with.

          NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the 19877 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), R.A. 8436 and other Election Laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to fix the deadline for the filing of requests/petitions for transfer of polling places before the Election and Barangay Affairs Department (EBAD) on September 10, 2010.  Provided that if the request/petition is filed a week before the deadline herein set, the same will be automatically DENIED unless completely accompanied by the following, to wit:

A.    In case of a Petition by the majority of the registered voters in a precinct (Sec. 154 of OEC):

1.     A document showing that it is a petition for transfer of polling place from _________ (previous/former) to _________ (proposed), the precinct/s numbers affected as well as the signatures of the majority of the registered voters of said precinct/s; and,

2.     A Certification to attest to the fact that the names appearing therein are indeed bona fide registered voters in the precinct concerned.

B.   In case of an Agreement of the political parties:

1.     A Certification to attest to the fact that the political parties which participated in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) are indeed the only registered political parties (Sec. 154, OEC) in the City/Municipality where the polling place/voting center concerned is located; and

2.     A Certification coming from the political parties that indeed those who signed in the MOA is/are their duly authorized representatives.

No requests/petitions for transfer of polling place shall be entertained after the deadline, except in case/s where the existing polling place is destroyed or it cannot be used.

All Election Officers (Eos)/Acting Election Officers (AEOs) are hereby enjoined to conduct ocular inspection of the existing polling places/voting centers to determine their availability, accessibility and suitability in the forthcoming October 25, 2010 Synchronized Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay Elections.

Let the Election and Barangay Affairs Department implement this resolution.

SO ORDERED.

JOSE A. R. MELO
Chairman
RENE V. SARMIENTO
Commissioner

NICODEMO T. FERRER
Commissioner



LUCENITO N. TAGLE
Commissioner

ARMANDO C. VELASCO
Commissioner



ELIAS R. YUSOPH
Commissioner

GREGORIO Y. LARRAZABAL
Commissioner


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