Comelec: Barangay, SK execs can campaign for candidates

MANILA, Philippines — All elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials may engage in partisan political activities and campaigning activities in the May 12 polls, the Commission on Elections said.

“The Comelec resolves to exclude elected barangay and SK officials from the coverage of the prohibition against intervention in any election campaign or engagement in partisan political activities,” Comelec Minute Resolution 24-1001 stated.

The Comelec explained that the exclusion is anchored on the Supreme Court ruling stating that the prohibition is limitedly applied to civil service officers and employees and does not include elected officials.

However, the Comelec noted, it is “subject to the limitation that they do not solicit contributions from their subordinates or subject them to any of the acts prohibited in the Omnibus Election Code.”

In the case of government personnel that are non-civil servants, the poll body said they are also allowed to engage in campaign activities this election season.

These include job order (JO) and contract of service (COS) workers employed by the government.

“The conscious and recurrent use of the term ‘civil service’ in the above discussion only reinforces the intent to limit the applicability of the prohibition to those in the civil service,” said the Comelec.

The poll body, however, stressed that the exemption shall be without prejudice to any prohibited acts that they may commit.

“(This is) without prejudice to the liability of any person, who would use under any guise whatsoever, directly or indirectly, public funds or money to employ JO and COS workers for the purpose of any election campaign or partisan political activity,” the Comelec said.

Meanwhile, the Comelec called out the National Book Store (NBS) concerning items labeled “elections material essentials” including money envelopes that were put on display in one of its branches.

In a letter sent to NBS, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said a report reached his office that there are such noticeable items, which may be associated with vote-buying activities and cash distribution this election season.

“Although we are aware that such envelopes may be used for other legitimate purposes during elections, such as payments for watchers and suppliers, we are constrained to humbly appeal for your kind indulgence for corrective action as we fear that said marketing strategy may normalize vote buying and/or the rampant distribution of money during elections,” Garcia said.

He added, “We do not wish to interfere on how National Book Store conducts its business, but we also worry that impressionable children and minors who frequent your stores may be led to believe that the illegal practice of vote buying is societally condoned.”

Attached to the letter are images of NBS store displays with the label “election materials essentials.”

Together with red envelopes and coin envelopes in that particular section of the bookstore are pens, scissors, glue and stamp pads, among others.

NBS president Adrian Ramos said they immediately adopted “corrective action” following the Comelec’s request.

The campaign period for local candidates will run from March 28 to May 10.