Barangay candidates reminded to observe poll rules

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines  - The provincial chief of the Department of Interior and Local Government on Friday urged candidates for barangay positions to abide by the Omnibus Election Code to prevent disqualification from the race.

Ali Abdullah, DILG’s provincial director for North Cotabato, also called on incumbent local executives to  refrain from interfering in  the conduct of the October 28 barangay polls in their respective towns.

“They should not interfere, or do endorsements, or force voters to vote for favored candidates for barangay positions,” Abdullah told reporters.

Abdullah said the Commission on Elections can disqualify candidates if proven to have violated poll rules.

“Candidates, thus, should abide by the Omnibus Election Code and should not commit any election offense to prevent from getting disqualified," he said.

The province has 544 barangays scattered in its three congressional districts.

Abdullah said he is confident the October 28 barangay elections in the province will be orderly, clean and peaceful owing to the security cooperation of the Comelec, the police, the military, and the provincial peace and order council. - John Unson