BAGUIO CITY — The election period in connection with the May 14, 2018 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) will start on Saturday, April 14, and will last until May 21, 2018.
During the Election Period, the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons and the availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards will be strictly prohibited.
Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Benguet Election Supervisor Julia Tabangin-Capuyan said n order to effectively implement the firearms ban during the election period, COMELEC checkpoints shall be established nationwide.
At 12:01 A.M. of April 14, 2018, the ban will take effect and the setting up of checkpoints will commence with a kick-off caravan by COMELEC and PNP.
Tabangin bared that only regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies of the Government who are duly deputized in writing by the COMELEC for election duty may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period.
However,”when in the possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officer must be: (a) in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall remain visible at all times, and (b) in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the Commission.”
Tabangin also announced that the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) is set from April 14 until April 20, 2018 from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Office of the Election Officer in the city or municipality where the candidate resides.
Tabangin said the COCs shall be filed in three legible copies with the Office of the Election Officer having jurisdiction over the barangay where the aspirant seeks to be elected. COCs are available at the respective local COMELEC offices or it could be downloaded at the COMELEC website at www.comelec.gov.ph.
In Resolution No. 10196 on promulgated September 13, 2017, the COMELEC said “no person may run for the position of Punong Barangay, Sangguniang (SB) Member, Chairperson, or Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Member unless such aspirant accomplishes a sworn COC in the form prescribed by the Commission.” She stressed that the COCs of aspirant candidates should be notarized or sworn by the COMELEC officer in their locality.
Campaign period will be from May 4 to May 12. COMELEC reminds of the following prohibitions: making any donation or gift in cash or in kind; appointing or using special policemen or confidential agents; construction or maintenance of barangay funded roads and bridges; appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new position, promotion, and giving of salary increases, remuneration or privileges.
The May 14 elections shall be from 7:00 Am to 3:00PM and proclamation of winners will be done after the manual counting at the respective voting precincts./(JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)
