Comelec: All BSKE winners proclaimed

MANILA, Philippines — Canvassing and proclamation of barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan election (BSKE) winners in all 42,001 barangays nationwide have been completed,  the Commisson on Elections (Comelec) announced yesterday.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia reported that winners in all the barangays in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), where most of the election-related violent incidents occurred, were already proclaimed.

“The only remaining unproclaimed candidates were the ones ordered suspended by the Commission and (those in) areas where the electoral board availed itself of the five-day notice rule,” Garcia said.

No failure of election was declared anywhere.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said over 19,000 barangay captains and 17,160 youth council winners have been proclaimed.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. lauded the generally peaceful conduct of this year’s BSKE.

“No threat group was able to cause any disruption in the voting process, and the several election-related incidents reported weren’t able to prevent our citizens from exercising their right to vote for their preferred barangay officials and youth leaders,” Brawner announced.

Abalos urged all candidates, winners and losers alike, to respect the results of the BSKE.

“Now is the time to work. We have a lot of advocacies. Of course, the President stresses that the economy is very important. Look at the fundamentals – peace and order are very important,” Abalos said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum.

He encouraged the incoming officials, especially SK winners, to help the national and local governments to curb illegal drugs in their communities.

“It is very important to be the shepherd of peers to avoid drugs. Encourage programs and be shepherds of peace,” he added.

He noted that there are a slew of issues that need to be addressed in the communities, such as HIV, malnutrition, and the youth.

He also noted the importance of the barangay, a unique government unit in the Philippines, as evidenced by the COVID-19 pandemic response.

Abalos said the Department of the Interior and Local Government is studying proposals to provide a salary for elected barangay officials.

“Number one is an amount that is fair. Number two, it will not be honoraria. For salaries, we might include the tanod. We will provide salaries for those who are accepting honoraria. Barangay captain is a 24-hour job,” he said.

Abalos said that despite some isolated incidents of violence, the BSKE was successful.

He noted that there were 62 incidents reported on election day, including 11 shootings, 15 cases of beatings and two vote-buying.

Meanwhile, two members of the House of Representatives have urged the winners of the BSKE to buckle down to work.

In a statement, Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar congratulated the new and re-elected barangay and SK leaders as she asked them to “serve your people well.”

Villar noted the task awaiting these officials is “broad and diverse, and they have limited time to make a significant impact in their communities and on the lives of their constituents.”

“It is now time to show to your constituents that you are capable to serve them well,” she added.

The lawmaker had wished the BSKE winners to “remain as enthusiastic and determined about the challenges ahead of you as you were when you sought your people’s support.”

In a separate statement, Barangay Health Wellness party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co has urged the “re-elected and newbie winners” to implement the laws “well.”

Co added that SK should do more than just basketball competitions, pageants and talent shows.

“Their youthful energies and talents could be channeled to championing child care and protection, LGBTQIA rights, anti-hazing programs, mental health programs, and addressing juvenile delinquency and unemployment,” she added.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC), on the other hand, reported that 3,869 people experienced medical conditions and were assisted and treated during the BSKE.

Some 3,790 voters had their blood pressure and other vital signs monitored by medical teams while 70 were treated for dizziness, fainting, abrasions, headaches, muscle cramps, difficulty breathing, hyperventilation, burns, stomach pains and other illnesses.

Nine were brought to hospital for abdominal pain, chest pains, difficulty breathing and elevated blood pressure.

A total of 127 other people were given welfare desk assistance, the PRC said.

PRC chairman Richard Gordon said their support to the elections is part of the PRC’s commitment to the public.

“It is a promise to strengthen the democratic process by ensuring that every citizen can participate safely and without fear,” he said in a statement. — Mayen Jaymalin, Michael Punongbayan, Sheila Crisostomo, Emmanuel Tupas