MANILA, (PNA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has revealed five provinces with the most number of barangay chairmen (Punong Barangays) who are on their third and last term in office.
Based on the list provided by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Commissioner Grace Padaca disclosed that Iloilo has the highest number of barangay chairmen who are third-termers with 268.
The said province is followed by Leyte with 228; Bohol, 183; Batangas, 175, and Pangasinan, 173.
She noted that the list is now posted on the Comelec website, www.comelec.gov.ph, for information of the public.
“We have uploaded the list of third termer barangay chairmen in time for the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC) on October 11, upang mas maging aware na ang mga tao, as well as the candidates and opponents that some people are no longer qualified to run for their fourth term,” Padaca said in a press briefing.
On the other hand, Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes warned these individuals not to aspire for reelection in the October 28 Barangay polls.
“This already serves as a warning to the three-termers that if they file their COC they will be disqualified since we also have a list,” he said.
The poll body chief also called on the public to report to the Comelec those who are in their third term and might attempt to participate in the forthcoming elections.
“Report them to us so we can immediately act on it,” Brillantes said.
Section 43 (b) of Republic Act No. 7160 states that “no local elective official shall serve for more than three consecutive terms in the same position.