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]
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]
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]
