May 14 Barangay, SK polls

"All systems go" -Comelec

TAGBILARAN CITY, April 7 (PIA--It is all systems go.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) at least in Bohol has said this, considering that talks about postponing the Barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have just become impossible due to lack of material time.

And along this reasoning, Bohol Election Supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria said they have always followed the timelines they are bound to observe and by now, they are about 85-90% up on time for the May 14 elections.

All there is, is some training for Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) and the arrival of the printed ballots and we shift to the election schedules, Atty. Labaria spoke at the weekly Kapihan sa PIA Thursday. 

The Comelec statement settles the unrest that has pervaded among incumbent barangay officials who have enjoyed extended terms since 2013 after completing their 3-year term.

The BSKE had been originally set for October 31, 2016. It was reset, first to October 23, 2017, then May 14, 2018.

Recently too, the House Committee on Suffrage has overwhelmingly voted 14-2 to postpone  the BSKE and then followed it up with 14-0 vote in favor of October 18, 2017 local polls.

The senate however has found no time to act on the Lower House bills.

Unless of course, a fortuitous event like terrorism, war, or force majeure, chips in city election officer Atty Ariel Selma, who also came to the radio forum aired live over a local radio station.

COMELEC has also added that a coordination meeting with the Department of Interior and Local Government has also triggered the elections preparations from the Philippine National Police and the army.

Along this, the next schedule would be April 14-20, which sets into motion the wheels for the BSKE this year.

By April 14-20, the COMELEC accepts the filing of certificates of candidacies, both for Baranay Chairman, Councilors, SK chairman and Councilors.

For grabs are two positions for Barangay and SK chairmen as well as 7 for each barangay and SK Council.

Eligible to run for the positions in the Barangay posts are those Filipino registered voters at least 18 years and who have enjoyed a residence in the barangay for a year, not convicted of any crimes involving moral turpitude, Atty Selma detailed.

For the SK however, those who can file their candidacies are those registered voters aged 18-24 only.

Youth aged 15-18 can vote but can't run for office yet, while those 18-30 can vote for the SK as well as the Barangay slates, reminds Atty Labaria.

For those filing, Bohol COMELEC urges candidates to do so early so that there would be ample time to correct what could be some errors data during filing.

"For candidates, please prepare well. Do not file on the deadline, do not wait for the deadline, while preparing for documentary stamps ahead would be a good idea, according to Atty Selma.

A fully filed certificate of candidacy has to have proper identification pictures, documentary stamps attached and would be notarized, COMELEC added. 

And check for the slots that one is filing for, Comelec reminds.

There are accordingly separate forms for Barangay Chairmen and another for councilors, as well as with the corresponding SK posts.

The forms can be downloaded from the Comelec website, or can be accessed from the municipal COMELEC offices, both election officers said. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

COMELEC Officials: City COMELEC registrar Atty Ariel Selma and Bohol Election Supervisor Atty Eliseo Labaria take turns in dishing out reminders for voters and candidates in the May 14 BSKElections during the recent Kapihan sa PIA. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)