By Ferdinand G.Patinio
MANILA, (PNA) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) advised aspirants in the Barangay elections not to campaign until after October 18, the start of the campaign period for the forthcoming polls.
“If there is someone that plans to campaign (before October 18 after filing their COC), we are already warning you. It would be best if you won’t campaign immediately. We would willingly disqualify anyone that will campaign before the start of the campaign period,” said Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes in a press briefing Wednesday morning.
This, as the poll body chief said they are looking to implement the previous definition of “campaigning” and “candidates” under the Omnibus Election Code.
“You are not allowed to campaign when you file your COCs until October 18, which is the start of the campaign period. Otherwise, we will charge you of premature campaigning because this is manual elections,” Brillantes explained.
Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code states that: “it shall be unlawful for any person to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period”.
On the other hand, under the poll automation law, “any person who files his certificate of candidacy (COC) shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period”.
“Our interpretation, based on our Law Department’s opinion, is the rule on Republic Act 9369, where there is no premature campaigning, will not apply in this case. So we will test it now,” he added.
The campaign period ends on October 26.
On the other hand, the poll body urged candidates for barangay chairman and barangay councilmen to file their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) early.
The filing of COC starts on October 11 until October 17, except October 13.
Commissioner Christian Lim said the filing of COCs will only run for six days.
“In such case, we can avoid rivals seeing each other in Comelec offices that may result to heated face-offs… anything can happen. So file it early,” he said.
According to Comelec Resolution 9740, filing of COCs shall be done in the Offices of City/Municipal Election Officers during regular office hours from 8 am to 5 pm.
Meanwhile, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) asked their coordinators to be on alert regarding barangay candidates on eligibility issues.
PPCRV chairperson Henrietta de Villa said that they also urged them to report gun ban violators as well as those who will violate the liquor and appointment bans.
“If we found any violators, we will immediately elevate it to the Comelec,” she added.