Stay away from brgy., SK polls, political parties told
The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has warned political parties to stay away and refrain from interfering in the barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
The campaign period will start on October 14, a day after the filling of candidacy ends.
“We should remember that the barangay and SK elections are non-political,” Provincial Election Supervisor Elizabeth Doronila said.
The possibility of political parties’ involvement in these elections is not remote, she said.
“If somebody would testify, we could prosecute the erring political party,” she said.
Under the law, campaign sorties, speeches and other election-related activities are allowed only from October 14 to 23. No campaign is allowed two days before the actual political exercises on October 25.
Prohibition
According to a COMELEC resolution, “it is illegal to remove, destroy, obliterate, or in any manner deface or tamper with, or prevent the distribution of lawful election propaganda.”
Among others, “it is illegal for any person to give or accept, free of charge, directly or indirectly, transportation, food or drinks or things of value during the five hours before and after a barangay assembly meeting or other authorized public forum, on the day preceding the election and on election day; or to give or contribute, directly or indirectly, money or things of value for such purpose.”
Up until election day, it would be illegal to hold dances, lotteries, cockfights, beauty contests and related events for fund-raising in support of any candidate.
The direct or indirect solicitation and acceptance from any candidate or from
his campaign manager, agent or representative, of gift, food, transportation, contribution, or donation in cash are also disallowed.
But the COMELEC clarified that “customary religious stipends, tithes, or collections on Sunday and/or other designated collection days are excluded from this prohibition.”
Candidates are not allowed to spend for his/her election campaign more than three pesos per person in the barangays where he/she seeks elections.
Within 10 days after the election, a candidate must file his statement of expenses with the local elections officer.*
