DISQUALIFICATION. The Commission on Elections Task Force Anti-Epal on Wednesday (October 4, 2023) files more disqualification cases against Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE), bringing the total to 60. Task Force Anti-Epal Chief and Region VIII Director Nick Mendros said they are wrapping up petitions to secure decisions against erring candidates before the October 30 polls. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA – Disqualification petitions filed against Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates have reached 60, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Task Force Anti-Epal said Wednesday.
In a press conference, Task Force Anti-Epal Chief and Region 8 Director Nick Mendros said they are wrapping up petitions to secure decisions against erring candidates before the October 30 election.
"Limited ho ang timeline namin dito. We can only file the petition to disqualify on or before October 30. Thereafter, kung may ma-receive pa kami, magiging election offense na 'yun, it’ll fall under election offense (We have a limited timeline. We can only file the petition to disqualify on or before October 30. Thereafter, whatever we’ll receive will be an election offense. It will fall under election offense)," he said.
As of Wednesday, the Task Force has issued 4,672 show cause orders.
It also received 936 answers from involved BSK bets, with around 200 possible disqualification petitions to be filed for summary proceedings.
The poll body also reported 326 dropped complaints due to a lack of factual basis.
Comelec Chairperson George Erwin Garcia told reporters in a Viber message that the Task Force Kontra Bigay will file around 10 disqualification petitions against BSK candidates allegedly involved in vote buying.
The poll body, meanwhile, is scheduled to deploy the first batch of official ballots and accountable forms at Comelec Sta. Rosa Warehouse in Laguna Wednesday night.
The batch will be sent to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and Caraga Region. (PNA)
