THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said at least 10 local government officials are facing possible raps for alleged meddling in the conduct and results of the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Elections chairman George Garcia, in a radio interview, said they are set to finalize the number and identities of the local officials in preparation for the filing of charges and publication of their names.
“We will finalize the list of those who we believe interfered in the elections. The entire nation must know who are these who meddled in the elections, especially those that intimidated or influenced the teachers,” said Garcia.
“There are at least 10 (local officials). Therefore, we need to countercheck and verify them before we file cases,” he added.
The poll chief said possible administrative and criminal charges may be filed against the meddling local officials as he stressed that there must be accountability to prevent a repeat in future elections.
“We need to take this seriously since this may happen again in the succeeding elections,” he said.
Garcia reiterated that the meddling of the local officials went against the non-partisan nature of the barangay and youth polls.
“These interferences, especially by local officials that are not candidates, are the ones that makes the barangay and SK elections disorderly, cause delays, bring pressure and cause the withdrawals of teachers,” he said.
Garcia has earlier said that they are looking into the reported involvement of several governors and mayors to alleged vote buying activities prior to the October 30 polls.
On Election Day, over 2,500 teachers assigned in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao backed out from serving as Electoral Board members after reportedly receiving threats.
On the other hand, the Comelec reminded all candidates — both winners and losers – in the BSKE to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCEs) on or before November 29.
In a social media post, the Comelec said the submission of SOCEs is a requirement under Resolution No. 10905.
“All candidates, winners or losers, must personally file their SOCEs and other related documents with the Office of the Election Officer (OEO), where they filed their candidacy,” said the Comelec.
Under Republic Act No. 7166, “every candidate shall, within 30 days after the day of the election, file in duplicate with the offices of the Commission the full, true, and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures in connection with the election”.
In filing their SOCEs, one may download the prescribed SOCE forms at https://comelec.gov.ph/?r=CampaignFinance/SOCEBSKE2023.
After which, the candidates must print in two copies the accomplished forms and have them signed and notarized. The hard copy of the form must be scanned and saved in PDF form in an external storage device and submitted to the OEO where they filed their candidacy.
The candidates who will be able to validly submit their SOCEs shall be issued Certificates of Compliance by the concerned OEO.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on Sunday said it is not going to extend preferential treatment to three detainees who won in the recent barangay elections.
In a radio interview, BJMP spokesman Chief Inspector Jayrex Bustinera nevertheless said the bureau will allow the three to perform their jobs while in detention.
The three detainees or persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) won as councilors in Dasmariñas City in Cavite, Tanay town in Rizal, and Cagayan de Oro City in Misamis Oriental.
The Supreme Court, in a decision issued in August last year, allowed PDLs to participate in the elections, specifically those who are yet to be convicted by final judgment.
“There will be no change (in their treatment), there will be no VIP treatment that will be extended to them,” said Bustinera of the winning candidates.
Bustinera said a court order will still be required if the PDLs need to go out of their detention cells to perform their duties and responsibilities as barangay officials.
He also that said any visits to these officials will have to be coordinated with the BJMP, just like with the other PDLs. “They are going to be regular visits,” he said.
He said the BJMP has already coordinated with the Comelec to clarify how these officials can perform their job while in detention.
“While waiting, according to our legal office, we are going to follow precedence from the Supreme Court on former senators who were detained and were allowed to perform their jobs,” said Bustinera.
Asked if the councilors will be given access to internet, phones, and computers to perform their duties, Bustinera said: “That’s one of the things we are looking into.”
He noted that PDLs are already enjoying the privilege of “e-dalaw” or electronic visits, noting that some inmates attend the hearings of their cases virtually.
“If there is proper coordination, that can be one by the BJMP,” said Bustinera.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr urged winners in the barangay elections to do what is right.
“Leadership is not about power. Leadership is about responsibility. It is about service to the public,” said Abalos during the oath-taking of newly-elected barangay officials in Quirino province on Saturday.
Abalos said the country needs barangay leaders who have vision and integrity and who can inspire and unite their communities. – With Victor Reyes
