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P4-M smuggled cigs seized, 2 arrested
THE Bureau of Customs-Davao Region (BOC-Davao) confiscated smuggled cigarettes worth P4 million in Barangay Lacson, Calinan District, Davao City on March 22, 2024......»»
Ensure safety of BSKE bets, PNP urged
The Commission on Elections has asked the Philippine National Police to protect and ensure the safety of both the winning and losing candidates in the recent barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections following the deaths of two winners in Pasay City and Davao......»»
Villagers displaced by gunfight in Maguindanao del Norte
COTABATO CITY --- The police and military have urged the Moro Islamic Liberation Front to disengage and reconcile two of its groups that clashed on Monday morning in Maguindanao del Norte, causing the displacement of about a hundred villagers. The two groups figured in running gunfights for about four hours in Linib and Tinindanan areas in Barangay Bugawas in Datu Odin Sinsuat town, the local police stated in a report on Tuesday to Brig. Gen. Allan Nobleza, director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. Lt. Col. Esmael Madin, chief of the Datu Odin Sinsuat Municipal Police Station, and officials of the Maguindanao del Norte Provincial Police Office identified the leaders of the feuding groups as Commanders Salim and Adam, who has more than 30 followers each, armed with assault rifles and grenade launchers. Evacuees from the conflict-torn villages are convinced the hostilities were related still to the October 30 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, where both groups had favored candidates. Talks are spreading around Datu Odin Sinsuat and in this city hinting that the incident, which affected more than 30 families, could be connected to the gun attack on Monday morning in the same barangay that resulted in the death of two residents, Juhaimen Ube and Mistah Alon and left four others wounded. The slain duo, who were attacked while on their way to a polling site, campaigned for certain candidates for barangay elective posts, according to their relatives. They are both related to members of one of the two groups that clashed in Linib and Tinindanan on Monday, according to traditional community Moro leaders. Army Major Gen. Alex Rillera, commander of the 6th Infantry Division, said he has directed their units in Datu Odin Sinsuat and nearby towns to secure Barangay Bugawas to prevent a repeat of Monday’s skirmishes in the area. The two groups scampered away when they sensed that soldiers backed by armored combat vehicles dispatched to secure Barangay Bugawas were closing in......»»
Observe poll laws, Abalos tells bets
Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos over the weekend said he was pleased that majority of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections bets at least in Tondo, Manila were opting to comply with poll rules. “We went around and found few violations. So I commend the city of Manila under Mayor Honey for the successful Comelec drive that ensured obedience to the poll regulations,” he said. Abalos issued the statement shortly after joining Comelec chairman George Garcia in conducting Oplan Baklas drive or the removal of illegally placed and oversized campaign materials, particularly those hanging from electric posts or wires in Barangay 128, Tondo, Manila. As per Comelec rules, all BSKE bets are required to place all their campaign materials especially tarpaulins in the common poster areas. This, as he also reiterated his call for BSKE candidates to observe and abide by all election laws, rules, and regulations to ensure the successful and orderly conduct of BSKE. “Read up on the laws. It lists all that has to be done including the use of e-payment platforms for vote-buying. Let us maintain the integrity of the election and give the voters the respect that they deserve,” he pointed out. He went on to explain that candidates who hold bingo games, distribute prices, conduct hakot system or mass transporting of voters before or during election day, and handing out cash are telltale signs of being engaged in vote buying. Meanwhile, the Quezon City Government on Saturday said it is all set for the 2023 BSKE to be held in 169 polling precincts. Mayor Joy Belmonte lauded the relevant government agencies and QC Government departments such as the City Treasurer’s Office for leaving no stone unturned to ensure that QCitizens in 142 barangays can safely exercise their right to vote. The post Observe poll laws, Abalos tells bets appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Palawan PNP deploys over 1.3k cops for barangay, SK elections
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — The Police Provincial Office in Palawan has deployed over 1,300 cops and other uniformed personnel from the marines and the coast guard to secure the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on 30 October. The deployment ceremony was held on Thursday at the Police Provincial Office headquarters in Barangay Tiniguiban in Puerto Princesa City, led by provincial director Colonel Carlito Narag Jr. and Palawan Commission on Elections supervisor Atty. Percival Mendoza. Narag expects the 1,333 combined personnel from the 3rd Marine Brigade and the Coast Guard District Palawan to ensure the secure, honest and safe conduct of the BSKE 2023 in 433 barangays across 23 municipalities in Palawan. "The others who will be assigned in the distant islands [of Palawan] have already gone ahead. This number is enough already — we also borrowed additional 77 police personnel from the City PNP — so we can be assured that will be able to fully support the BSKE," Narag said. He said that as law enforcers, they are committed to performing their responsibilities in Palawan to ensure the safety of the voters and the 14,862 BSKE candidates across all towns of Palawan. "We're really hoping that this will be a fair, peaceful and honest election," he said. The Puerto Princesa City Police Office also deployed approximately 957 police personnel, combined with uniformed personnel from the marines and the coast guard to secure the BSKE in 66 barangays. City police director Colonel Ronie Bacuel and City Comelec officer Atty. Julius Cuevas led the deployment ceremony in Barangay San Pedro also on Thursday morning. Bacuel stated that "they will ensure the orderliness and peace during the conduct of the safe elections in the city." He assured that the entire police force in Puerto Princesa is prepared for any challenges that may arise on election day. The post Palawan PNP deploys over 1.3k cops for barangay, SK elections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gun-for-hire group members nabbed in Bohol, P300K shabu seized
CEBU CITY, Philippines – Members of a suspected gun-for-hire group that is based in Bohol landed in jail after they were caught by authorities during a buy-bust operation early on Thursday morning, October 19,2023. The anti-illegal drugs operation was made in Purok 1, Barangay Danao in Panglao, Bohol at around 6:30 a.m. Two of the arrested persons were identified as Regie Abundo and his alleged cohort, Christian Manayaga. Also arrested were their “associates” who were identified as Bridget Rose Olaivar and Princess Vanna Cutaran. Meanwhile, two minors were also rescued during the buy-bust operation. Police described the suspects as high-value individuals (HVI) who are part of an “emerging” gun-for-hire group. Authorities recovered from their possession 55 grams of suspected shabu worth at least P374,000; a .9mm pistol loaded with 9 live ammunitions; and a KG-9 sub machine gun with 19 live ammunitions. The buy-bust operation was organized by the Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU)/ Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) of the Bohol Police Provincial Office together with the Panglao Municipal Police Station and Dauis Municipal Police Station. Gun-for-hire group Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said that based on their investigation, the arrested individuals were part of a gun-for-hire group. He said that the highly-organized group may have been responsible for previous drug-related shooting incidents in Bohol province. “Sa atong investigation nga gihimo, kini nga grupo na-involve ni sila sa mga drug-related shootings in Bohol previously. So, atoning gitan-aw. What we are going to do is we conduct ballistic examination sa armas nga nakuha, atong i-match didto sa mga previous shooting incidents,” he said. Pelare said that they will be conducting backtracking as part of their ongoing investigation. “We are now considering backtracking of shooting incidents in previous months kay naa tay nakita nga mga information nag na-involve sila sa drug-related incidents,” he said. Surveillance According to Pelare, local authorities conducted surveillance and intelligence monitoring to gather evidence before the conduct of the buy-bust operation. He also disclosed that they received information that the group may have been used to commit crimes and disrupt the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on October 30. “Ato sang nakita nga kining grupoha, possible untang magamit sa Barangay and SK elections by some unscrupulous political candidates. But because of this aggressive operation instructed and supervised by our Regional Director Police Brigadier.....»»
Day 1 of campaign for Barangay and SK elections ‘successful and peaceful’ – CCPO
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The official start of the ten-day campaign for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Cebu City was “peaceful and successful.” Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said they did not record any untoward incidents from the city’s 80 barangays on Thursday, October 19. She said there were gatherings of a huge crowd of supporters as the candidates and their followers became excited that they were finally able to start their campaign. “The first day of the ten-day campaign period was really very successful and peaceful. Although, as I’ve said, medyo naay mga barangay nga nabibo. Murag nabibo sila tungod sa paglaunch sa mga campaign strategy sa atong mga kanya-kanyang kandidato puhon sa BSKE 2023 karong October 30,” she said. Motorcades Rafter said that on Thursday, there were candidates who officially opened their campaign with a motorcade. But, the conduct of motorcades did not have much effect on vehicular traffic since most of these were done on barangay roads. There were also those who started to already post their campaign materials. “Naa silay mga gibuhat nga mga aktibidades sa ilang mga tagsa-tagsa ka mga barangay kung asa sila molunsad but it didn’t really affect in any way sa atong trapiko sa Sugbo,” she added. The campaign period is scheduled from October 19 to 28. Oplan Baklas Meanwhile, Rafter said they will also be coordinating with Commission on Elections (Comelec) on the dates for the implementation of “Oplan Baklas” here. CCPO will be joining “Oplan Baklas” to especially provide security. “Ang atong PNP, we are just on the security of the team nga mag-conduct og Oplen Baklas puhon,” she said. Police deployment On October 30, Rafter said a total of 947 uniformed police personnel will be deployed to secure the conduct of the BSKE in the 71 polling places here. “Out of the 1,221 nato nga mga personnel, uniformed personnel, there are 947 nga available for deployment,” she said. At least 80 of 947 personnel will be deployed to augment security parts of Cebu province. Rafter said that deployment will be based on the number of voters who are expected to crowd a particular voting area. “Naa tay standard nga number of personnel for each polling places. But we are also preparing because ang atong mad police places diri is dako kaayo og butante,” she said......»»
EcoWaste Coalition Campaigns for Clean and Eco-Friendly Elections
17 October 2023, Manila City/Quezon City. The EcoWaste Coalition, an advocacy group for a zero waste and toxics-free society, made a last-ditch appeal to candidates running for elective Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan posts to think of Mother Earth as they court the electorates.As the 10-day campaign period is set to start this Thursday, the group gathered outside the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in.....»»
Training modules for winning BSKE candidates eyed
ILOILO CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government in Western Visayas — through its Local Government Regional Resource Center — is crafting training modules for the soon-to-be elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials. “So, currently that’s our intervention here in Region 6 in partnership with Iloilo Science and Technology University. This is a project with the Local Government Academy since the development of the module involves not only the implementation in Region 6 but this involves the implementation of the whole training nationwide,” said Christian Nagaynay, chief of the DILG Local Government Capability Development Division. He narrated that they started with the conduct of a needs assessment among 3,000 respondents who were asked about their needed competencies to deliver and perform their functions. “For us to test whether the modules we developed are effective and ready for rollout. In case there are changes based on the comments of our barangay captains, then we will incorporate them before its implementation,” Nagaynay said. Representatives from the Local Government Academy will join the first run to also check on the module. The post Training modules for winning BSKE candidates eyed appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
PDEA-7 to probe reports on alleged involvement of some BSKE candidates in illegal drugs
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) will look into reports on the alleged involvement in illegal drugs by some of the candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Leia Alcantara, the PDEA-7 spokesperson, said that with less a month before the BSKE that is slated on.....»»
PRO-7 director to police personnel: Do not meddle with politics
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) is reminding its personnel to be apolitical and not to meddle with campaigns of candidates running for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023. This was according to Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, the director of the Police Regional Office Central.....»»
Nutrition official urges BSKE 2023 candidates to prioritize nutrition programs
CEBU CITY, Philippines — The 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) is around the corner, with this, a nutrition expert called on the aspiring BSKE candidates to focus on nutrition programs. Since health and nutrition services were already involved in the local government units (LGUs), Azucena Dayanghirang, assistant secretary and executive director of the.....»»
Asia Pacific seed producers impressed with Phl hybrid rice achievement
A field study tour organized by over 50 member countries of the Asia Pacific Seeds Association (APSA) was very "impressed with the milestones achieved by the country in hybrid rice seeds production" as well as the close collaboration among the stakeholders in the hybrid rice sector, the Department of Agriculture's Rice Industry Development reported Thursday. DA-RID Undersecretary Leo Sebastian said this is the first field study tour in the Philippines, which stemmed from the invitation by Dr. Frisco Malabanan, who is the current executive committee member from the Philippines and is now with the Masagana Rice Industry Development Program. He was a former chairman of the Special Interest Group on Field Crops (SIG-FC). APSA is the largest regional seed association in the world with more than 600 members, according to its website. Headquartered in Bangkok, APSA promotes sustainable agriculture through the development, production, and trade of quality seeds within, to, and from the Asia-Pacific region, and continues to maintain strong links with a number of key international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Trade Organization. Heidi Gallant, executive director of APSA, provides more insights into what the association means to its members. Its members represent the entire spectrum of the seed industry—both the public and private sectors—including national seed associations, government agencies, public and private seed companies, and associate members, which represent organizations outside of the Asia region. The majority of its members are seed enterprises, including breeders, producers, distributors, retailers, exporters, and importers. Countries with the highest number of members are China, 20 percent; India, 19 percent; Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Japan with 7 percent each; and Thailand, South Korea, and Chinese-Taipei with 4 percent each. Sebastian said, that of the 15 delegates that joined the just-concluded field study tour, three companies were from China and others were from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The APSA study tour was timed with the holding of the 16th National Rice Technology Forum of the private sector group, Rice Board, in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur — which showcased clustered demo farms of hybrid rice companies, soil nutrition companies, and digital companies involved in the rice sector, Malabanan said. The delegates, according to Sebastian, were impressed how the Philippines could pool all seed production companies in one site (during the NRTF tour in Davao Sur), which Malabanan said was a result of the close collaboration between government and private companies. They went to the seed facilities (from drying, cleaning, and sacking of seeds) at the site of SL Agritech in Lupon Davao Oriental. They had a whole day of farm visits to the farms of SL Agritech, Tao Seeds, Longping, and BioSeeds where they saw the actual parental lines (male and female) of the seed companies in their flowering stages. Last Thursday, they participated in the 16th NRTF forum in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur where they witnessed 18 companies (each with more than a hectare) of currently standing palay crops (both hybrid and inbred) as well as soil enrichment producers and a company that promotes drones for direct seeding of palay seeds, fertilizers and pesticide application. There, Sebastian added, the delegates were awed by the contiguous areas of planted farms by competing companies, which is rather inconceivable in other countries. That same day, they visited the farms of commercial seed companies, Bayer Crop Science and SL Agritech in Barangay Ruparan, Digos City, and in Hagonoy, Davao del Sur. From here they visited the hybrid corn farms in Kapaling, Davao del Norte, and Tagum of Bayer Science and Syngenta Phils. At the Bayer field visit, a 50-hectare integrated farm of a farmer that used to be planted with bananas before the pandemic had been converted into hybrid rice, corn, and high-value crops. The participants who left the Philippines last Saturday, also visited a learning site by DA Agriculture Training Institution showcasing an integrated farming system — high-value crops, poultry, and dairy farm — as part of the farm diversification to further increase farmers’ incomes. The post Asia Pacific seed producers impressed with Phl hybrid rice achievement appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Village chiefs no say over 4Ps list removal
General Santos City — The City Social Welfare Development Office on Wednesday clarified that barangay officials and other local leaders have no power or authority to remove any 4Ps member in the official list from the DSWD. Sarah Kate Batilong of the CSWDO disclosed to the city council that barangay officials who are candidates in the upcoming BSKE next month must prohibit themselves in trying to intimidate or threaten beneficiaries with disenfranchisement if they are being found out not supporting a candidate. She added that only the DSWD can remove a beneficiary from the official list once they violate certain guidelines and provisions of the said program after thorough investigation and verification. To recall, the city councilors has invited the CSWDO to air some concerns they have received from the barangays saying that allegedly some barangay officials used the DSWD programs such as TUPAD and AICS to their leverage to solicit votes in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023. When pressed by city councilor Elizabeth Bagonoc if there are any orders or memo addressed to the CSWDO on the event of inviting local officials to serve as witnesses during the releasing of payouts, Batilong said that there was none. However, she disclosed that “social workers should be able to understand the limits of involving candidates in their activities.” The post Village chiefs no say over 4Ps list removal appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Peace covenant for polls signed by hundreds of Mandaue candidates
MANDAUE CITY, Philippines — Hundreds of candidates for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) attended the Peace Signing Covenant on Wednesday, Sept. 20. The candidates with authorities gathered at the National Shrine of St. Joseph to attend the unity Mass and the signing conducted by the Commission on Elections (Comelec-Mandaue), Mandaue City Police.....»»
Many barangay posts in BARMM uncontested
As the October barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections draw near, we wrote about the apprehension of the authorities over the conduct of the elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao or BARMM. The Philippine National Police has statistics on several towns flagged as possible election “hot spots.” In fact, they have asked for a postponement of the elections in those areas, but the Commission denied this despite documented incidents of election-related violence. But just as there are conflict areas, there are an almost equal number of barangays where peace is expected to prevail. There will be no contest in those barangays as the candidates will run unopposed. While this could taint the democratic process as the right of citizens to choose their leaders will be somehow restricted, it is still a welcome development. How does this work? This needs the intervention of the patriarchs of families, the elders of the village, and city or town executives. What is essential is to resort to what local tribes (among Maranaws) call “musawarah,” which is Arabic in origin, and “musyawarah,” which is the Malay word for consultation or dialogue. Contending candidates engage in dialogue to find common ground for agreement to avoid a socially, financially, and politically costly election. In the case of a barangay where one family numerically dominates, they choose by rotation from among the siblings or family leaders who will be the Punong Barangay. The other positions, like barangay councilor or kagawad, secretary, treasurer, etc., are equally divided among themselves. And there is an equitable distribution of the salaries and whatever largesse the barangay will receive from the government and local projects. In contested barangays, the town mayor offers a hefty sum to the party running against his chosen candidate and promises a monthly allowance and other assistance. By buying off the different bets, the mayor gets the full support of the barangay, with the Punong Barangay acting as his political operator when the mayoral elections come around. Experience tells us that the mayor, supported by most Punong Barangays, gets to perpetuate his dynastic family in power. This is also one way of settling “rido” or family feuds that are a side issue during elections. Through back channeling and having a common candidate and slate, families that for years were involved in “rido” are open to reconciliation. A Rappler report said about “149 barangays in Maguindanao del Sur’s 24 towns have unopposed bets for barangay chair.” And local leaders are still negotiating to have more unopposed candidates in more barangays. According to local leaders, this scheme is resorted to not necessarily for partisan considerations but for peace because election rivalries are the common cause of “rido.” This is happening also in Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and many other BARMM barangays. Through the efforts of provincial governors and city and town mayors, several barangays have candidates running unchallenged in October. Democrats might find this an assault on the freedom of the people to choose their leaders. They will claim that politicians manipulate the people to surrender their fundamental rights as citizens to perpetuate themselves in power and protect their dynasties. But what good is democracy if we have conflict and instability in the villages and one cannot sleep at night for fear of violence? In weighing which interest is preponderant — peace or freedom — pacifists will go for the former. This column supports the work of local leaders in BARMM to have familiar candidates for the coming elections so that lives will not be unnecessarily sacrificed on the altar of politics. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Many barangay posts in BARMM uncontested appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
‘Public office is a public trust,’ Bong Go reminds BSKE candidates
In an interview on Friday, 15 September, after attending the launch of the 159th Malasakit Center in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go discussed the forthcoming 2023 Philippine Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, underscoring the crucial role of public trust to those who are elected to office. "Public office is a public trust. Kung kayo po ay iluklok dyan, wag nyo pong sayangin ang tiwalang ibinigay sa inyo ng taumbayan," Go said. He stressed that elected officials at the barangay level are the direct point of contact of the public and should not squander the trust given to them. "Unahin po natin ang interes ng tao, unahin po natin ang interes ng bayan. Unahin po natin tulungan ang mga kababayan nating mahihirap, ang mga pobre,” added Go. The 2023 Philippine barangay and SK elections are scheduled to be held on 30 October this year. Among those to be elected in the election are the Punong Barangay, seven members of the Sangguniang Barangay, and the SK chairperson in barangays all throughout the country. Go has previously filed Senate Bill No. 197 or the Magna Carta for Barangays, recognizing the critical role of barangay officials in delivering services from the government. "Meron akong nai-refile na SB 197 or the Magna Carta for Barangays," he said. The senator said he understands the challenges faced by barangay officials, having worked closely with former president Rodrigo Duterte when he was still a mayor. "Mahalaga at kritikal ang papel ng mga barangay officials natin sa paghahatid ng mga serbisyo mula sa pamahalaan," he added. The bill proposes that barangay officials, including the Punong Barangay, members of the Sangguniang Barangay, the Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson, the barangay secretary, and the barangay treasurer, receive similar treatment as regular government employees. This means they would be eligible for salaries, benefits, and allowances, among other perks. "Dapat awtomatikong ibinibigay na sa kanila ang kanilang parte sa mga pambansang buwis," Go stated, emphasizing that the barangay should automatically receive their share of national taxes. This includes funds for the maintenance of barangay roads and bridges, as well as an increased share from real property tax and other collections. Earlier, Go has co-authored and co-sponsored a Senate bill pushing for the postponement of the December 2022 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections. In his co-sponsorship speech, he emphasized that officials at barangay and SK levels need adequate time and continuity to implement and uphold the plans they have devised for their respective jurisdictions. The post ‘Public office is a public trust,’ Bong Go reminds BSKE candidates appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Zambo shooting suspects yield
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Two suspects in the indiscriminate firing incident in Malabang, Lanao del Sur during the filing of Certificates of Candidacy surrendered to the police on Friday. The suspects, identified as Mamayog Sidik Gampong and Haniboy Sarip, voluntarily surrendered their firearms to the Police Regional Office for Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. The two fired their guns indiscriminately in Barangay Chinatown, Malabang on 31 August, which disrupted the filing of CoCs by candidates vying for various posts in the coming Barangay polls. PRO-BAR Director P/Brig. Gen. Allan C. Nobleza said the incident clearly violated the Commission on Elections’ gun ban. The Comelec prohibits carrying and transporting firearms, explosives and other deadly weapons during the election period from 28 August to 29 November. If found guilty, violators can be sentenced up to 12 years in prison. PRO-BAR will press charges against Gampong and Sarip on top of the charges that have already been filed at the local fiscal office against them. The post Zambo shooting suspects yield appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec logs over 120K candidates for BSKE in Bicol
By Connie Calipay LEGAZPI CITY – The Commission on Elections-5 (Bicol) reported on Monday that more than 120,000 individuals have filed their certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2. In an interview, Comelec-Albay Election Supervisor Ma. Aurea Bo-Bunao said the COCs filed will be subjected […].....»»
More than 17K candidates seek barangay, SK positions in Palawan
PUERTO PRINCESA CITY — A total of 17,815 individuals submitted their certificates of candidacy in Palawan within a week-long timeframe set by the Commission on Elections for an activity categorized as being "generally peaceful." From the total number, 2,593 individuals filed their candidacy in Puerto Princesa City, and 14,862 in various municipalities in Palawan, all competing for roles in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled for 30 October, as shared by Jomel Ordas, the spokesperson of the provincial COMELEC. Based on the information he provided, there are 172 individuals aiming to vie for the role of barangay captain and 160 individuals planning to run for SK chairman in Puerto Princesa City. In Palawan, approximately 1,034 people have expressed interest in competing for the leading position in the barangay, and 970 individuals aspire to become SK chairman. Ordas pointed out that the list must undergo submission to the Election Records and Statistics Department (ERSD) at their central office for verification before it can be determined whether all of them are eligible candidates. "The process will involve submitting the initial list of filers to the ERSD at the COMELEC main office, and it will undergo several verification steps to ensure that everyone is qualified and not disqualified by law," he explained. He noted that following the completion of the verification process, the COMELEC will furnish an official list of certified candidates. This compilation will be prominently displayed in the barangay halls before the BSKE polls on 30 October. Ordas said that the qualifications subject to assessment encompass being a Filipino citizen, a registered voter in the respective barangay, residing in the same barangay for a minimum of one year prior to the election, possessing the ability to read and write in either Filipino or a local dialect, and reaching the age of 18 or older on the day of the election. He also said that the ERSD will examine whether individuals who submitted their COCs share a second-degree civil relationship with the SK, have a criminal conviction involving moral turpitude, or an offense carrying a penalty of one year or more imprisonment within two years of the sentence, and are not barred by legal disqualifications. For the SK, in addition to some of the previously mentioned qualifications, candidates must fall within the age range of 18 to 24 during the election, possess the capability to read and write both in Filipino and English, and not have a blood or marriage connection up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity with any elected official anywhere in the country. Based further on information furnished by the provincial COMELEC, in the entirety of Palawan, which also includes Puerto Princesa City, the number of individuals aspiring to contest for barangay councilor positions is 10,371, and there are 5,108 candidates vying for SK councilor roles. The post More than 17K candidates seek barangay, SK positions in Palawan appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»