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]
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]
GAPAN CITY, Nueva Ecija - A 42-year-old businessman from this city is the first violator of the gun ban in connection with the forthcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE). Dennis Beley, a resident of Barangay San Roque of this southern Nueva Ecija city, yielded a cal. 45 pistol "with an inserted magazine and three live ammunition, police said. Supt. Peter Madria, Gapan City police chief, said Beley was on board a Mitsubishi L300 van (ATA 3451) when he was flagged down in a checkpoint in Barangay Sto. Cristo at around 1:05 a.m. Saturday, barely an hour after the election period took effect.
"Beley voluntarily opened the sling bag with the gun and had subsequently presented pertinent documents," Madria said. He said all gun permits are temporarily suspended due to election ban. The suspect is now facing charges of violation of the Omnibus Election Code. [Marilyn Galang, PNA]
THE Commission on Elections (COMELEC) today said that the Election Period in connection with the May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will start on April 14, 2018, and will run until May 21, 2018.
INTRAMUROS, Manila - New and existing party-list organizations may file their manifestation to participate in the 2019 midterm elections until April 30, 2018, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) said Monday.
