THERE will be no postponement of the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental, Elections chairman George Garcia announced yesterday.
In a press conference, Garcia said the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has decided to push through with the elections in Negros Oriental simultaneously with the rest of the country.
“To our kababayans in Negros Oriental, do not worry. The October 30 BSKE will proceed on the same day the elections will be conducted in the entire country,” Garcia said.
He said the decision was the result of their consultation with the people of Negros Oriental and the recommendations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“The Commission decided to push through with the elections based on the evidence and documents we have gathered during the public hearing. In there, we were able to determine that the people overwhelmingly want the elections to push through on October 30,” said Garcia.
However, the poll chief said the entire province will be placed under “Comelec control” effective immediately, although its implementation may not be felt until close to Election Day.
“We will place the entire province under Comelec control. To our recollection, it seems this is the first time it will be placed under Comelec control,” said Garcia.
“The Comelec will continuously monitor the situation. Therefore, it is possible that when the situation changes, we can still lift the Comelec control in the area. That means we can conduct the elections even without declaring it under Comelec control,” he added.
The agency head said they decided to place Negros Oriental under Comelec control to assure the public that there is nothing to fear on Election Day.
“Comelec will ensure that the status quo as much as possible will be in (place)… In case there is slight strictness, we apologize. But this is for the benefit of everyone so that we can ensure that the people can cast their votes on Election Day,” he said.
Comelec Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said they will issue the guidelines on places under Comelec control via a resolution “within the month”.
Earlier, Sen. Francis Tolentino pushed for the postponement of the October 30 polls in Negros Oriental on the heels of the assassination of Gov. Roel Degamo.
In response, the Comelec held a three-day simultaneous public hearing across the different cities and municipalities of Negros Oriental last June.
