BSKE RESET. Commission on Elections chairperson George Garcia attends the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs’ public hearing on the possible postponement of Barangay and Sanggunniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental. Garcia allayed fears of violence and assured the public of an orderly and peaceful conduct of elections this October. (Photo courtesy of Senate PRIB)
MANILA – Decision on whether to push through with the Barangay and Sanggunniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental will be out in the second or third week of September, the poll body’s chief told Senators Wednesday.
This, after Senator Francis Tolentino proposed during the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs hearing the rescheduling of the elections in the province noting the peace and order issue following the death of its late Governor Roel Degamo.
Citing reports, Tolentino said results of the surveys conducted by some newspapers in Region 7 show that some people favor the 30-day postponement of the elections set this October.
Comelec chairperson George Garcia expressed his support to the proposal of the panel, admitting that the poll body has the prerogative to defer BSKE in Negros Oriental for up to three months.
"Because we are very supportive of this initiative, we will conduct already the hearing. Yun pong nabanggit ng ating kagalang-galang na Senator Tolentino na survey, malaking tulong po yun pero base po sa rules na umiiral sa atin under Rule 26 ng Comelec Rules of Procedure kinakailangan po merong due process, may pagdinig sa lahat ng parties. (Because we are very supportive of this initiative, we will conduct already the hearing. The survey mentioned by Honorable Senator Tolentino is a big help but based on Rule 25 of the Comelec Rules of Procedure there has to be due process, there will be a hearing for all the parties)," he explained.
The Comelec chief said they will be conducting hearings in all villages and towns of Negros Oriental starting Aug. 28 before coming up with a decision.
He noted that under the law, Comelec can defer polls in a particular area in the country under the grounds of "serious causes" like violence, terrorism, insurrection, rebellion, lack of election facilities, or calamities.
Putting Negros Oriental under Comelec control
Meanwhile, Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, who chairs the Committee, urged Comelec to put Negros Oriental under its control during the BSKE.
He told Garcia that “we know that effective 8 October, all resources of government offices, and their services are at your disposal during the election period.”
Thus, he encouraged the Comelec chief to “do everything you can do to ensure the safety of all the people in Negros Oriental.”
“I’m sure the security forces will support you on this. I myself, being the chairman of the Committee, hearing all the testimonies of our resource persons, I’m inclined to recommend to the Comelec (the) placing Negros Oriental under your control. For me, it is for you to decide. [But] I’m just recommending to you to please put Negros Oriental under Comelec control to see to it that no one will be killed anymore,” he said.
Dela Rosa made the call after Senator Robin Padilla asked Garcia if the current situation in the province qualifies for a military takeover during the BSKE.
Garcia said the poll body has the power to place a certain area under Comelec control provided that there is a serious concern monitored during the election period.
He then assured Padilla that Comelec will exert all efforts to prioritize the safety in the province should the security forces will recommend placing it under their control.
“We will hold a command conference with the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) and PNP (Philippine National Police) and we will definitely insist that as far as the issue of Negros is concerned, maybe we can get proper guidance,” he said.
He added that “the Comelec will definitely abide by the recommendation of our security forces. But, at this point, we don’t have the power to place any part of the country under Comelec control until the filing of candidacy on August 28.” (PNA)
