COMELEC declares Bangsamoro Organic Law now deemed ratified

MANILA - The National Plebiscite Board of Canvassers (NPBOC) has issued a resolution ratifying the Bangsamoro Organic Law or R.A. No. 11054.



This was after majority of the registered voters in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) voted in favor of it: 1,540,017 votes for "yes" and 198,750 voted for "no."

Cotabato City will become a part of the newly created Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) after garnering 36,682 "yes" votes and 24,994 "no" votes.

However, Isabela City will not be a part of the BARMM after the "no" votes won with 22,441 against 19,032 "yes" votes.

The NPBOC is not preparing and will be submitting a copy of the result of the first part of the plebiscite to the Office of the President, the Senate, and the House of Representatives. [Aiko Miguel, UNTV News]

Unity Walk for peaceful midterm polls set on Jan. 13

BAGUIO CITY - As a show of support for safe and peaceful midterm polls, the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) and the Commission on Elections will hold a unity walk on Sunday, 13 Jan. 2019, the start of the election period.

"Candidates will be joining the unity walk which will show their sportsmanship as candidates," city police director Senior Supt. Eliseo Tanding said in an interview Wednesday.

The unity walk is spearheaded by COMELEC and BCPO personnel, candidates, and other stakeholders to promote a safe and peaceful 2019 midterm elections.  On the same day, the city will join other regions in the country for the simultaneous signing of peace covenants.


Tanding also expressed confidence that election in the city would be peaceful similar to that in the past, where no election-related violence was recorded.

"With a history of zero election-related incidents, I am confident that our candidates will be good sport in this election," and no violence of any level will happen.

Lawyer John Paul Martin, COMELEC-Baguio election officer said in a separate interview that they would hold command conferences with the BCPO and security coordination meetings with law enforcement agencies to ensure the smooth conduct of the polls.

As part of the voter's education campaign, a multi-sectoral vote-buying campaign will be launched on January 17.

Martin also reminded candidates and the public to abide by the election gun ban, which will begin January 13.  [Pamela Mariz Geminiano, PNA]

COMELEC allots 8-hour voting for Bangsamoro law plebiscite

MANILA - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has alloted eight hours for the voting period for the plebiscite to ratify Republic Act 11054, otherwise known as the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

Resolution No. 10429 - Calendar of Activities & Prohibited Acts (May 13, 2019 National & Local Elections)

Republic of the Philippines

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Manila

RESOLUTION No. 10429

In the Matter of Prescribing the Calendar of Activities and Periods of Certain Prohibited Acts in connection with the May 13, 2019 National and Local Elections

Pursuant to the powers vested in it by the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the Omnibus Election Code (B.P. Blg. 881), Republic Acts No. 6646, 7166, 8189, 8436, 9180, 10756 and other elections laws, the Commission on Elections (Commission) RESOLVED to prescribe the following calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts in connection with the May 13, 2019 national and local elections:

SC to revise rules on election protests

Chief Justice Leonardo-de Castro

PADRE FAURA, Manila - Outgoing Chief Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro has created a special committee that will revise the Rules of Procedure in election contests before the courts involving elective municipal and barangay (village) officials.

Turncoatism not possible under federalism: ConCom spokesperson

CEBU CITY - The usual exodus of politicians to a ruling party will not happen under the draft federalism Constitution, according to the spokesperson of the Consultative Committee (ConCom) on Friday afternoon.

COMELEC sets Filing of COC on Oct. 11-12 & Oct 15-17, 2018

The Commission on Elections has released the CALENDAR OF ACTIVITIES, campaign period, and prohibited acts in connection with the 2019 National and Local Elections.

Senator Legarda's transfer of registration to Antique opposed

SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique - The Election Registration Board (ERB) of Antique will hear on October 25 the opposition on the application to transfer registration of Senator Loren Legarda from Malabon City to the municipality of Pandan in this province.

Special Registration for the Bangsamoro Plebiscite set on Sept 11 to 13, 2018

INTRAMUROS, Manila - The Commission on Elections will be conducting special satellite registrations in the plebiscite areas on September 11 to 13, 2018 for the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) Plebiscite.

COMELEC sets July 16 deadline for registration of political parties for 2019 mid-term elections

INTRAMUROS, Manila (15 Jul 2018) - POLITICAL parties, which will participate in next year's mid-term elections have only until this Monday to file their petitions for registration, according to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC).

COMELEC resumes voter registration on Monday

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) resumes voter registration on Monday the continuing registration of voters for the 2019 synchronized local and national elections.

Almost 100 percent proclaimed winners in village, youth polls

INTRAMUROS, Manila - About 99.81 percent of all barangays in the country have proclaimed their winning candidates in Monday's Barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) polls, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said Tuesday.

Win or lose, file your SOCE -- COMELEC

INTRAMUROS, Manila - The Commission on Elections reminds candidates for the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections to file their statements of election contributions and expenditures (SOCE) not later than June 13, 2018, or risk being perpetually disqualified to hold public office.

AFP ready to secure Monday's village & youth polls

MANILA - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP ) is more than ready to secure Monday's barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKEs).

Politicians, poll bets have no say on 4Ps--DSWD

CAGAYAN de Oro City - The Department of Social Welfare and Development-10 (DSWD-10) reminded the public that election candidates, even incumbent elected officials, cannot enroll or remove beneficiaries of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Director Nestor Ramos

In a statement Friday, DSWD-10 Regional Director Nestor Ramos said only the agency has the authority to include or delist families from 4Ps, one of the government's poverty alleviation programs.


Ramos said the 4Ps is a poverty-reduction initiative of the national government and is being implemented with other national government agencies in coordination with non-government organizations and civil society groups.

He said the program's implementation is monitored by a multi-stakeholder group and as such, no political personalities have a say on its operations and policies.

The regional director has also assured the 4Ps beneficiaries that they can vote during the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections without fear of being delisted from the program, no matter who they voted for.

Ramos added the DSWD is no longer enrolling families to the program since it has already conducted its second round of household assessment last 2015 the "Listahan," the national household targeting system of the national government that identifies who and where the poor are in the country.

"We have already finalized our list of beneficiaries for the 4Ps, and we are now making sure that these families are benefiting from the Program through their children's education and health," he said.

Should there be families who are not included in the 4Ps but no need assistance from DSWD, Ramos said the agency has other social protection programs that can cater to their needs such as the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP), social pension, Assistance for individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS), among others.

"We would be happy to assist them provided that they fall under the qualifications of the programs we have," he said.

To date, there are 268,503 active 4Ps beneficiaries in Northern Mindanao, the DSWD-10 said.

Among the provinces in the region, Bukidnon has the most number of 4Ps members with 86,853, followed by Misamis Oriental with 72,576; Lanao del Norte, 68,538; Misamis Occidental, 34,764; and Camiguin, 5,772.  [Jigger J. Jerusalem, PNA]

Poll Workers' Honoraria Ready for Release on Election Day - COMELEC

INTRAMUROS, Manila - The Commission on Elections assures poll workers who will render service in the 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections that they will be paid the full sum of their compensation upon the completion of their election duties on May 14, 2018.

According to the COMELEC Finance Service Department, the honoraria and travel allowances will be paid either in cash or through the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) cash card.  

For certain priority areas, poll workers will be paid in cash.  In other places, they will receive their compensation through DBP cash cards.  The payment of their compensation will be made by the Election Officers of their respective localities.


As per R.A. 10756 or the Election Service Reform Act, the following poll workers are entitled to the corresponding honoraria: Chairperson of the Electoral Boards, PhP 6,000; Members of the Electoral Boards, PhP 5,000; Department of Education Supervisor Official (DESO), PhP 4,000; and Support Staff, PhP 2,000.  Additionally, they are entitled to a travel allowance of PhP 1,000 each.

Pursuant to Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Ruling No. 003-08 dated April 14, 2018, honoraria and travel allowances are subject to 5% withholding tax. [Education and Information Department, COMELEC]

No automatic disqualification for bets on drug list - COMELEC

James Jimenez

INTRAMUROS, Manila - Having a candidate's name included in the drug watchlist of the government would not automatically disqualify or bar him from running in an election, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) clarified on Friday.

COMELEC Spokesman James Jimenez explained that only a final judgment on the alleged crime - a court conviction - would disqualify a candidate's bid for public office, apart from other factors of disqualification.

"Having your name on the list of drug suspects or people suspected to be involved in the drug trade will not really have an effect on what the COMELEC does," Jimenez said in a press briefing.

"Being on [a] drug list will not disqualify a person from running for office.  Disqualification only comes from a final judgment against the person, apart from other reasons for disqualification," the polling body official said. [Julius N. Leonen, Inquirer.net]

Palace confirms PRRD order to reveal village officials in drug list

MANILA (26 Apr 2018) - Malacanang on Thursday confirmed that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to release the names of village officials in his so-called "narco list".

"President Duterte has ordered the PDEA to disclose the names of barangay officials included in the list of all those allegedly involved in the illegal drug trades," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a Palace press briefing.

Duterte made his order three weeks before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections set on May 14.

On Wednesday, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino revealed that those included in the list are 89 barangay chairmen and 122 barangay kagawads.

The PDEA chief said the list originally contains 216 names but five barangay captains were taken off the list as they will be subject to further validation, adding that it would release the drug list within this week.


Meanwhile, Roque extended the country's appreciation for China's support to the Duterte administration's campaign against illegal drugs.

"We are grateful for China's support to the campaign against illegal drugs through personal training, drug detention, confiscation, and testing equipment," Roque said.

The Philippines and China signed the protocol on cooperation against illegal drugs on Oct. 22, 2016, during Duterte's first visit as President to Beijing.

Duterte had repeatedly said he would finish his war against illegal drugs until the last day of his presidency in 2022. [Jelly Musico, PNA]

No need for bio-data, campaign platform in COCs--COMELEC

INTRAMUROS, Manila - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Sunday said there is no need for candidates in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls to attach their bio-data and campaign platforms in Certificates of Candidacy (COCs).

"It actually has no bearing in the filing of COCs.  The Election Officer will accept the COC forms, with or without bio-data (and) program of government," COMELEC posted on Twitter.

The clarification was issued after receiving queries if the poll body added new requirements in the filing of COCs.

The COMELEC, however, noted that it would be better if poll aspirants who will file COCs will include such documents.

"This will help you in informing and educating voters in voting wisely come campaign period," the COMELEC added.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier urged COMELEC to require barangay and SK bets to submit their bio-data or resume.

Last Saturday, the poll body started the period of filing COCs for the village and youth polls, which will run until Friday, April 20.

COCs must be filed with the Office of the Election Officer that has jurisdiction over the barangay, where they are seeking office, between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.


Meanwhile, Commissioner Rowena Guanzon advised would-be candidates to make sure that they are not members of any political party.

"Be aware: Candidates for barangay positions will sign Certificate of Candidacy that states they are not members of any political party, group, or coalition of parties," she posted on Twitter.

Under Section 38 of the Omnibus Election Code, no person, who files a COC, shall represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party or any other organization during the barangay and SK elections.

"They could be penalized in accordance with the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, which is a criminal offense," Guanzon added. [Ferdiand Patinio, PNA]

Barangay, SK candidates have until Friday to file COCs - COMELEC

INTRAMUROS, Manila - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Wednesday said the period for the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) by aspirants in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will not be extended.

COMELEC Spokesperson James Jimenez noted that those who would like to participate in the forthcoming polls have until Friday to submit their respective COCs at the poll body office in the city/municipality they intend to run.




"We will not have an extension.  It will end Friday, April 20.  We don't have an announcement or plan to extend the filing period.  As we speak, April 20 is our last day of filing and our office hours are still 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.," he said in a weekly forum in Manila.

Jimenez added that after the filing period, the COCs will be brought to the COMELEC central office for evaluation.

"We need to finish the evaluation for two weeks then we will issue a list of candidates for the village and youth polls," he said.

Meanwhile, the COMELEC reported that a total of 305,082 COCs have been filed since the filing period started on April 14.

Of the number, a total of 225,617 COCs were filed for barangay elections, with 28,436 vying for barangay chairman and 197,181 aspiring for kagawad (councilor).

Meanwhile, 79,465 COCs were filed for SK elections, with those vying for chairman numbering to 18,298 and kagawad totaling to 61,167.

Jimenez said the figures were from the reports of 1,444 cities and municipalities. [Ferdinand Patinio, PNA]