NAGA CITY (PIA) – The recent Kapihan sa PIA Camarines Sur in early September held at the Summit Hotel and Restaurant set as a hub among local media for relevant and important information for upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections come October 30, 2023.

Communications focal lawyer Juliebeth Salvadora of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Camarines Sur, as well as the operations officer Ervin Belano from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Cam Sur served as the resource speakers.

Atty. Salvadora announced over 37k individuals seeking for elective posts in the approaching elections this year. With this, security protocols have begun following the implementation of gun ban on August 28. This includes heightened COMELEC checkpoints run by Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel. Liquor ban will be imposed on October 29 and 30.

Elected officials will only have a term until December 2025 to serve, said Salvadora. After, the next elections will provide a usual three-year term for the succeeding public servants until 2028.

With coordination of the PNP, Salvadora said that there are no reported cases relating to election activities in the province of Camarines Sur. However, security efforts are still ensured so that there will be a smooth and peaceful elections.

KAPIHAN SA PIA: PIA-CamSur conducts "Kapihan sa PIA" with COMELEC Cam Sur Communication Focal Person Atty. Juliebeth Salvadora and DILG Cam Sur's Operations Officer V Ervin Belano on the upcoming 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) held at
Summit Hotel Naga, September 7, 2023. (JRM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)

On the other hand, Belano said that the national government is not particular for the anti-dynasty law among candidates now that the SK elections resume. He said, “Ang isay man maawot na mag kandidato, dapat mayo siyang kamag anak na elective barangay, municipal, city, provincial, regional officials (Anyone who seeks to run for public post shall not have any relatives sitting as present officials in all levels).” Technically speaking, an incumbent official who has a relative running for SK position shall resign in order to continue with SK elections. However, the DILG does not encourage the resignation of barangay official in order to accommodate relatives running for SK, “but we do not see something wrong with that either.”

Since the reopening of these local elections, Belano said that their department has observed individuals who filed for candidacy with lack of educational background; but he said that DILG will provide training so that if ever elected, officials will perform their functions, render compliances and transact business legally and responsibly. There are also SK mandatory trainings that election youth officials shall undergo because taking their oaths.

COMELEC violations

Salvadora clarified said that any person whether registered voter or not, a candidate or not may be involved in election propaganda on September 3 to October 18, might be liable for premature campaigning or vote solicitation. Once proven by the court, its ultimate penalty is disqualification.

The COMELEC has deputized several agencies which have different tasking through the Kontra-Bigay Committee who will prosecute offenders of vote-buying and vote-selling. For one, the Anti-Money Laundering Council is also assigned to monitor suspicious transactions during elections. Any proof of these transactions may serve as evidence for preliminary investigations.

“We encourage everyone to be brave enough to report to our local authorities any incidents of these violations as long as there are evidences which our agencies may take action upon,” she said.