TO prove its seriousness in running after Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates engaged in premature campaigning activities, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has created a task force to police early electioneering.
In a press conference, Comelec chairman George Garcia announced the creation of “Task Force Kontra Epal,” which shall be led by Director Jose Nick Mendros.
“The task force shall be given the power to motu proprio file complaints for disqualification and election offense to our Law Department,” said Garcia.
The group will also “be responsible over the coordination with our field offices, including directing the removal of all election paraphernalia prematurely posted by candidates and issuing corresponding show cause orders.”
Garcia said the move is part of the Comelec’s efforts to bring back the fear of candidates from engaging in premature campaigning, and to ensure that those engaged in premature campaigning will be held liable.
“We have to institutionalize the mindset of everybody, more particularly the candidates. It should be ‘we have to follow the rules, we have to follow the law’,” he said.
“Now, we need to make a sample case. We need to file a case and disqualify them before October 30. Regardless if it’s 1 or 100 cases, we just have to file cases and disqualify these people,” said Garcia.
Electioneering activities are prohibited until October 18, or until the official campaign period for the BSKE opens on October 19.
Based on the latest data from the poll body, 470 BSKE candidates have already been issued show cause orders after being found to be engaged in premature campaigning.
More could be sent show cause orders in the coming weeks as the Comelec believes that those who actively join programs of national government agencies and even non-government organizations may be charged with early campaigning.
Garcia said he believes that incumbent barangay or SK officials running in the BSKE may be charged of premature campaigning if they opt to go on stage during programs held in their barangays.
“If they choose to go up the stage, mingle with politicians, hand out the gift packages, in our opinion, they can be charged (of premature campaigning),” he said.
On the other hand, the poll chief said there is nothing unlawful when barangay or SK officials opt to keep a low profile during public events.
“If they simply help handle the peace and order situation during the events, we see no problem in that since that’s part of their mandates,” said Garcia.
In a related development, Garcia said the Comelec is prepared to provide exempt the fuel subsidy program of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) from the financial election ban.
The Comelec on Tuesday approved the request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to be allowed to continue distributing the P15,000 rice subsidy to retails affected by President Marcos’ price ceiling on rice and its other financial assistance programs.
“We are just waiting for the request for exemption for the fuel subsidy program,” said Garcia, adding: “We will immediately approve it because the subsidy is much needed by the public, especially the PUV drivers.”
Garcia is referring to the P10,000 cash subsidy to be provided by the LTFRB to PUV drivers and operators amid the increasing fuel prices.
Garcia also said that they have already granted exemption to the Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) or the emergency employment program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).
“We granted exemption but gave strict requirements that it should be provided by DOLE and, as much as possible, in partnership with the municipal government level, and not barangay level,” said Garcia.
