More BSKE bets face DQ cases

MANILA, Philippines — The number of candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) who are facing disqualification and other charges is rising, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

As of Sept. 8, the Comelec has received a total of 160 petitions including 22 for disqualification, 13 for declaration as nuisance candidates and 52 for denial or cancellation of certificates of candidacy (COCs).

The poll body said there were also 73 undocketed petitions or those that came in the form of soft copies only and with filing fees still unpaid.

Of the 73 petitions, one was for declaration as a nuisance candidate, 55 for cancellation of COCs and 17 disqualifications.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said 102 candidates have been summoned for engaging in premature campaign.

“These candidates will still be issued show-cause orders, even as they have removed the campaign paraphernalia,” Garcia said.

He said the show cause orders could lead to the filing of charges against the concerned candidates.

“After hearing or receiving their replies, we may or my not file complaints for disqualification and election offenses,” he said

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said they expect the number of petitions and complaints to increase as election day draws near.

Laudiangco said that filing of disqualification charges are possible due to reports of premature campaigning.

The Comelec said the campaign period for the BSKE elections will start on Oct. 19.

Gun ban violators

Meanwhile, in Western Visayas, 27 people have been arrested as of yesterday for violating the gun ban imposed by the Comelec in relation to the BSKE.

Two of those arrested are security guards while the rest are civilians.

Maj. Mary Grace Socorro Borio, spokesperson for the Westen Visayas police, said that most of the arrests were recorded in Negros Occidental with eight followed by Iloilo with five.

Seized from the suspects were 21 firearms and 10 bladed weapons.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has recorded 22 suspected poll-related cases nationwide, PNP public information office acting chief Col. Jean Fajardo said yesterday

Of the figure, two have been validated as election-related cases while 11 are not poll-related.

The rest are still under investigation.

Fajardo said the two poll-related cases were recorded in Bicol and Bangsamoro region.

In Lanao del Sur, police filed charges against two persons for violating the Comelec gun ban.

Charged were Mamayog Sidik Gampon and Haniboy Sarip, who were tagged in an indiscriminate firing incident during the filing of COCs in Malabang town.

Sidik and Sarip surrendered last Thursday after Bangsamoro police director Brig. Allan Nobleza ordered an investigation into the incident.

The suspects turned over several firearms and ammunition to the police. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Gilbert Bayoran, Roel Pareño