MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA) -- The Commission on Elections (Comelec) here in the province urged the public to report any candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) who would launch an early campaign following their filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC).

Acting provincial election supervisor lawyer Udtog Tago said the public has a significant role in combating premature campaigning.

"Malaki ang magagawa ng publiko. Sila yung makapagpigil sa premature campaigning by filing complaints against them [candidates]. Pero kailangan mayroon silang mga ebidensya na malakas para yung kanilang complaint mabigyan ng bigat," he said in an interview.

(The public can do a lot. They are the ones who can prevent premature campaigning by filing complaints against them [candidates]. But they must have strong evidence for their complaint to be taken seriously).

Tago said once a person files his COC, he is already considered a candidate, and the full force of the law will be applied.

The COMELEC has earlier announced that the filing of COCs for the 2023 BSKE will be from August 28 to September 2, while the campaign period will run only from October 19 to October 28.

Tago likewise joined the electorate to contribute towards a peaceful, credible, successful election in the province by not exchanging their votes for money.

"Umiwas sa vote buying. Yung kapayapaan is very important kaya pagtulung-tulungan natin na maging mapayapa yung filing hanggang matapos ang election," he added.

(Avoid vote buying. Peace is important. Let's work together to make the filing peaceful until the election is done.)

Meanwhile, the election period and gun ban will also begin on August 28 and will last until November 29, which is also the last day for all candidates to file the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures. (APB/PIA-10 Lanao del Sur)