Barangay dad files disqualification case vs. entire Kasambagan slate

CEBU, Philippines – Two days before the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections, a candidate for barangay kagawad in Kasambagan, Cebu City filed a disqualification case against reelectionist barangay captain Jose Lim, Jr. and his entire slate.

That, as top Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials in Cebu Province expect the supplies needed for this Monday's elections to arrive today.

Alfredo Vercide, 54, filed the case at around 6:45 last night at the office of Cebu City north district election officer Marchel Sarno. 

Other respondents are George Chang, Allan Daag, Lorna Embalzado, Danilo Heramis, Vivian Go, Franklyn Ong and Rodolfo Quiseo, candidates for barangay councilor under Lim's slate.

First cause of action is the alleged oversized election propaganda materials of the respondents flooding the entire Kasambagan with colored tarpaulins and individual posters exceeding 2 x 3 feet.

Second is the placement of these materials outside of the barangay hall and the sports complex, the only two designated poster areas.

Respondents allegedly placed their posters along the streets, on the walls of private houses, in uninhabited places, trees, electric posts and police outposts.

Vercide said that placing posters in residences were even against the will of, and without consent from, house owners.

He also mentioned the alleged use of illegal election propaganda materials by the respondents because these do not contain the required words "paid for by" and "printed by."

Partisan politics was also cited as reason. Mentioned were Cebu City Councilors Augustus Pe, Jr. and Alvin Arcilla who allegedly formed the respondents into a party, the BOPK.

Pe allegedly hosted a series of number games called bingo as way of campaigning for the respondents by giving sacks of rice as prizes.

Vercide also questioned as illegal the use of the respondents of the "I Love Kasambagan" material, which bore their photos, names and the position they are running for.

On October 17, 2010, the respondents allegedly conspired with BOPK officials in holding a caravan wherein they showed to the voters that they were endorsed by the BOPK.

In a related development, Comelec 7 lawyer and Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said yesterday that the ballot boxes and materials for election will hopefully arrive today.

Castillano said the materials were released from the Comelec Manila's storage room yesterday.

When the materials arrive today, these will be segregated right away for distribution to Cebu's towns and cities.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia for her part, said the Capitol is willing to assist the Comelec if needed.

Garcia also said the police must ensure that peace and order is maintained this Monday.

She advised candidates to keep their cool and remember that there is another election if they fail in this one.

She will vote in Dumanjug, and called on everyone to exercise his duty to vote.

Meanwhile the Comelec promulgated Resolution No. 9075, which serves as guideline in the case of shortage, non-availability or missing pages of accountable and non-accountable election forms this Monday. - Gregg M. Rubio and Mylen P. Manto/JPM (FREEMAN)