POLL SECURITY MEASURES. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) signs on Tuesday (Aug. 15, 2023) a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) in relation to the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). The pact is expected to strengthen their collaboration for election-related security measures before and after the Oct. 30 polls. (Photo courtesy of Comelec)
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Tuesday signed a memorandum of agreement as part of efforts to ensure peaceful, clean and orderly Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.
In a press conference, Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia underscored the significance of the pact to ensure that every vote will be counted and the right candidate shall be elected.
"We must always be reminded that the business of election is not only the business of the Commission of Elections. It is the business of the entire government. That being the case, there must be a whole-of-government approach in the conduct of the election," he said.
Garcia said with the strong presence of law enforcement, extreme threats to safety like ambush and hostage cases in relation to the timely delivery of election paraphernalia may be prevented.
"Masisigurado lamang 'yan kung nandyan ang PNP na magsusubaybay sa bawat galaw ng election paraphernalia (It can only be assured if the PNP is there to monitor the movement of election paraphernalia)," he said.
Meanwhile, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the pact strengthens the implementation of target measures for the BSKE.
"Dito po pinagtitibay 'ang aming pagtutulungan sa lahat ng administrative at operations po ng halalan (This is where we fortify our collaboration in all administrative and election operations)," he said during the Laging Handa public briefing.
The Comelec is set to hold a command conference on Aug. 22 wherein the situation in all voting areas in the country will be discussed with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), PNP and PCG.
Laudiangco said by Aug. 28, the start of the election period, increased visibility and checkpoints of police authorities are expected as the gun ban is also implemented until Nov. 29.
He added election-related peace and security measures have been rolled out by the Comelec's partner agencies, including the AFP.
Laudiangco urged the public to actively participate in the October polls, and be keen in the behavior of BSKE candidates.
He said they can report to Comelec instances of premature campaigning since aspiring candidates are expected to file their certificate of candidacy (COCs) by Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.
"Sana po mai-report sa Comelec kung sino man po ang maagang nangangampanya dahil pinapahintulutan lamang po ang pangangampanya mula Oct. 19 hanggang Oct. 28 (We hope it will be reported to the Comelec whoever tries to campaign early because official campaigns are only allowed from Oct. 19 to 28)," he added.
Laudiangco also reminded aspiring candidates to observe prohibitions that are immediately effective upon their filing.
The Comelec is ramping up measures for the BSKE pilot automated election and mall voting in select areas.
Laudiangco said only Barangay Pasong Tamo in Quezon City District 6 and Barangay Paliparan III and Barangay Zone II in Dasmariñas City, Cavite shall participate in the automated BSKE.
Select barangays surrounding 10 malls in Metro Manila, Legazpi and Cebu City will also participate in the pilot mall voting.
Vote buying
Garcia cited possible authorization of arrest of vote-buying perpetrators.
"Sa ilalabas naming guidelines, pahapyaw lang ito, papayagan namin silang mag-aresto, especially kung 'yung tao ay caught in the act (In the guidelines yet to be released, this is just a gist, we will allow them to arrest, especially if the individuals are caught in the act)," he said.
"Dati wala po 'yun, ngayon i-authorize namin siya (Before we don't have that, but now it will be authorized) with the full backing of the Commission on Elections because it is our duty that under the Constitution warrantless arrest is allowed," he added.
Garcia implied stringent monitoring, especially of activities that appear malicious.
"Kapag ang isang tao ay may dala-dalang PHP500,000 (If a person carries around PHP500,000), we will presume that person is likely involved in vote buying or 'yung mismong mga kandidato na nagkukumpul-kumpulan 'yung mga kababayan natin dun (or if the candidate himself is being surrounded by our fellow citizens), we will presume that candidate is being involved likewise in vote-buying," he said.
Extended deadline
The Comelec said the extended deadline for submission of Sworn Information and Updated Statement (SIUS) for all registered political parties and coalitions of political parties, among others, will be on Sept. 30.
"May bagong departamento ang Comelec, 'yun pong tinatawag namin na Political and Financial Affairs Department. Ito po 'yung dating Campaign Finance Office na mas pinalaki, mas pinaayos, pinarami ang tao dahil po magkakaroon ng transition mula sa dating sinasubmittan na clerk of the commission (The Comelec has a new department called Political and Financial Affairs Department [PFAD]. This was formerly known as Campaign Finance Office, that's now expanded, more organized, and with increased manpower, because [we will] have a transition from the previous submission recipient which is the Clerk of the Commission)," Laudiangco said.
He said the deadline shall be only effective this year.
By 2024 and the year after, the deadline for filing SIUS will be every 15th of August. (PNA)
