SIX barangay officials in Bulacan and Batangas have been issued show cause orders by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) for allegedly campaigning and endorsing candidates in the coming May 9 elections.
Interior undersecretary for barangay affairs Martin Diño said the barangay chairmen were asked to explain why they should not be held accountable for violating a joint circular of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that was issued in 2016 prohibiting barangay officials from engaging in partisan political activities during elections.
Electioneering is also prohibited under the Local Government Code of 1991.
“We are not going to stop reminding our barangay captains and barangay officials about the joint memorandum circular of the Civil Service Commission and Comelec that prohibits them from campaigning,” said Diño.
“We are reiterating this because we received reports, with evidence. I have actually issued show cause orders against (barangay captains) in Norzagaray and Marilao (in Bulacan) and some parts of Batangas,” he also said.
Diño said some of the barangay captains allegedly took the stage and endorsed candidates in the May elections. The others, he said, wore shirts with markings that call on the people to vote for certain candidates.
“There are pictures, evidence against them,” he added.
“If you endorse someone, ask the people to vote for that candidate, that’s electioneering, that is prohibited,” he also said.
Diño said while barangay officials have the right to choose their own candidates, they should keep to themselves who their choices are.
“We’ve asked them to explain, there are complainants (against them),” said Diño.
If the barangay officials cannot satisfactorily defend themselves, Diño said the DILG will file the necessary charges against them before the Office of the Ombudsman.
Barangay officials found guilty of engaging in partisan political activities face possible suspension or dismissal from their posts.
Meanwhile, amid suggestions from some quarters to allow barangay officials to endorse candidates, Diño said: “There may be a need to amend the CSC and Comelec (circular) but I think its objective is to have an equal fight.”
“What if the barangay captain uses barangay vehicles, use his influence, ask the people to vote for some candidates. The CSC and Comelec have a point,” said Diño.
“Barangays are the smallest political unit and barangay officials are influential. We have 42,047 barangays. Just imagine if a candidate gains their support. A barangay captain can produce a minimum of 1,000 votes,” he also said.
