Parties barred from brgy polls

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Election reminded existing political parties of the non-partisan in nature of the coming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election, thus they should be wary of the prohibitions of supporting and endorsing candidates.

Comelec Cebu election officer Ferdinand Gujilde said that unlike the national and local elections, the barangay and SK election should be non-partisan, which means candidates who will be running for a position this coming October 28 should not be supported or influenced by a political party.

Gujilde said if any political figure wants to support a candidate, this should be done in a private capacity.

He explained that political parties that endorse or support a candidate, whether they do this indirectly or directly, will be liable for premature campaigning.

However, this will be effective once the campaign period starts on October 18 up to October 26.

According to the Comelec, premature campaigning is not a violation of campaign regulations before the campaign period since candidates are not considered official candidates until the campaign period starts.

Gujilde said this is why candidates for the upcoming barangay and SK elections cannot be made liable as well if they campaign early, the same with political parties who will endorse non-partisan candidates.

However, Gujilde emphasized that what should be considered by the candidates is propriety.

"If you cannot be punished by law for lack of propriety, unta, the people will. If our electorate has a higher level of consciousness," he said.

On the same note, Gujilde said the public may file a case against political parties that endorse candidates for partisanship.

Meanwhile, Gujilde said that barangays that do not take part in expenses for the barangay elections, as mandated in the Omnibus Election Code, will also be made accountable.

"Yes it is an election offense because it is stated in the Omnibus Election Code," he said.

The Comelec en banc signed Resolution 9739, requiring all Local Government Units to augment the appropriations of the Comelec for the upcoming national barangay and SK officials by setting aside an amount to help in the expenses. –(FREEMAN)