TAKE DOWN THE CAMPAIGN POSTERS. The Commission on Elections-Central Luzon (Comelec-3) has reminded candidates to remove the campaign materials they posted for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). Comelec-3 Assistant Regional Director Elmo Duque said on Friday (Nov. 3, 2023) that it is the responsibility of the candidates whether they won or lost, to remove their campaign posters by Nov. 4. (File photo courtesy of MDRRMO-Apalit)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Commission on Elections-Central Luzon (Comelec-3) on Friday reminded candidates to remove the campaign materials they posted for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) by Nov. 4.
Comelec-3 Assistant Regional Director Elmo Duque said it was the responsibility of all the candidates to remove their campaign posters within five days after the conduct of BSKE.
“Ako ay nanawagan sa mga candidates whether nanalo or natalo na ipakita natin sa publiko na tayo ay law-abiding citizens kasi ay may commitment tayo na tatanggalin natin yan mga campaign materials (I am calling the candidates whether they won or lost to show the public that we are law abiding citizens because we have commitment to remove those campaign materials),” Duque said in radio interview.
The Comelec official also reminded candidates to file their statement of contributions and expenditures (SOCE) on or before the Nov. 29 deadline.
“Hindi lamang ang mga nanalo ang required na magsumite ng SOCE. Kahit natalo or kahit nag-withdraw ay kailangang magsumite (The winners are not the only ones who are required to submit SOCE. Even those who lost or withdrew),” he said.
Duque said that no elected official can assume office without filing their SOCE.
Under Republic Act 7166 or the Synchronized National and Local Elections and Electoral Reforms Act, first-time offenders will be asked to pay an administrative fine ranging from PHP1,000 to PHP30,000 depending on the discretion of the Comelec.
Those who fail to submit their SOCE after two succeeding elections, whether they won or lost, will no longer be allowed to run for public office.
Meanwhile, Duque said they would double their efforts to finish the distribution of honoraria to poll workers in the region at the soonest possible time.
“Sisikapin natin sa lalawigan ng Bulacan, Nueva Ecija at Pampanga na matapos ngayong araw ang pagbibigay ng honoraria sa ating mga poll workers (We will try to finish the distribution of honoraria to our poll workers in the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Pampanga today),” he said.
Under the law, poll workers must receive their honoraria within 15 days after the conduct of polls.
Based on the updated honoraria, the poll body raised the compensation from PHP6,000 and PHP5,000 to PHP10,000 and PHP9,000 for electoral chairpersons and board members, respectively. (PNA)
