Comelec now 100% ready for brgy polls

CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Election (Comelec) said it is 100 percent ready for the barangay election on Monday despite the damaged schools serving as polling places.

"Yes 100 percent we are meeting all our calendar of activities of the barangay election," Comelec regional director Temie Lambino said.

Lambino said despite the destruction brought by last week's powerful earthquake there's been enough classrooms to use for the election.

"The destruction of some of the polling precincts will not affect the election. Even if there were damages brought by the October 15 quake to our polling centers, I would say still that we can go on with our election considering the destructions, meaning to say that we have enough classrooms to conduct the October 28 election," he said.

Lambino added that although he received reports on the destruction of some polling precincts, there was no report from their election officers on the need to create makeshift polling precincts.

Based on the October 21 report from Schools Division Superintendent Arden Monisit, 549 classrooms in 170 schools were severely damaged.

The report also said 114 schools sustained minor damage out of the total 1,122 elementary and secondary schools in the province.

With this, Lambino stressed that there are still enough polling centers for the coming election.

Considering that the campaign period will end on Sunday, a day before the election period, Lambino reminded candidates to abide by the Omnibus Election Code.

Comelec Cebu City south district officer Edwin Cadungog earlier reminded the candidates to follow the campaign guidelines.

According to the Comelec, among the provisions that are commonly violated are the size of campaign posters and the posting in unauthorized areas

In Cebu City, a total of 1,080 candidates in the north district and 917 candidates in the south district are running for the positions of barangay captain and councilman.  (FREEMAN)