BSKE campaign starts Thursday

MANILA, Philippines — With the campaign period set to begin on Oct. 19, the Commission on Elections yesterday reminded candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to abide by Comelec rules.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said BSKE candidates are allowed to spend only P5 per registered voter.

Garcia said the P5 expenditure per voter is applicable during the campaign period from Oct. 19 to 28.

“They need to submit SOCE,” he said, referring to the statement of contributions and expenditures.

“The SOCE covers only the campaign period. Outside that date, it’s not covered by SOCE and can be considered illegal expenditure,” he added.

Garcia said candidates should also observe the proper size of posters or campaign materials.

He reminded candidates to comply with the prohibition against the distribution of shirts, ballers, caps or anything of value.

Garcia advised supporters not to wear shirts with pictures of candidates to avoid their disqualification from the elections.

The Comelec will launch a nationwide “Operation Baklas“ or removal or unlawful campaign materials from Oct. 20 to 27.

The poll body has filed more than 90 disqualification cases against BSKE candidates for premature campaigning and vote buying.

‘Ensure success of BSKE’

As these developed, the Comelec yesterday appealed to the police and the military as well as its other partner agencies to ensure the success of the BSKE.

Garcia issued the appeal during a multisectoral peace assembly for the BSKE at Camp Abendan in Zamboanga City, which was attended by officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as by the coast guard, firefighters, poll inspectors and other law enforcement agents.

He said no failure of election should be declared in any area in the Zamboanga peninsula as well as in the entire country because it would show that the PNP, AFP, coast guard, Bureau of Fire Protection, the Comelec and the Department of Education are not capable of doing their job.

Meanwhile, the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) has reactivated its election hotline for public school teachers who may encounter issues and concerns when fulfilling their duties for the BSKE.

ACT chairman Vladimer Quetua said the hotline would monitor the situation of all teachers serving as board of election inspectors.

The hotline can be accessed through mobile numbers 0920 294 3041 and 0956 913 0778 or by email at [email protected] as well as through ACT’s Facebook page.

The hotline will also be a tool for teachers in reporting issues regarding compensation and violation of the Election Service Reform Act including their rights and safety, Quetua said. — Neil Jayson Servallos, Roel Pareño, Mark Ernest Villeza