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PNP prepares for 2023 BSKE

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

May 15, 2023, 7:18 pm

MANILA – The Philippine National Police is making early preparations to assume election duties as a deputized agency of the Commission on Election (Comelec) for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) scheduled on October 30.

In a statement on Monday, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the Comelec Committee on the Ban on Firearm and Security Concerns (CBFSC) convened its first meeting last May 9, presided by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino, CBFSC Chairperson; with representatives from the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

He said all operational planning and preparatory activities of the PNP are guided by Comelec Resolution No. 10902 that approved the calendar of activities for the 2023 BSKE.

Pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10902, the 90-day election period for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election will commence on Aug. 28, with the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COC).

Acorda said the PNP will strictly enforce all prohibited acts during the entire 90-day election period as enumerated under the Omnibus Election Code and Resolutions passed by the Comelec.

“These prohibited acts include the bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec and also prohibited during this period is the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates,” he said.

Upon the request of Commissioner Ferolino, Acorda said the PNP is making some adjustments on administrative procedures and technical requirements in the processing of Comelec authority for exemption.

The Joint Comelec-PNP-AFP committee is set to hold a media event on May 22, to formally launch the information campaign for the 2023 Barangay and SK Elections.

Meanwhile, PNP Spokesperson, Col. Jean Fajardo, said they will beef up their efforts in ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of 2023 BSKE.

“As we speak our DO (Directorate for Operation) closely coordinating with Comelec pati na rin yung ating mga regional and provincial. Kasama na rin diyan yung coordination sa tinatawag nating mga election areas of concerns but as of now we don't have yet the figures as to the number of election areas of concerns na masasama sa color category -- yung yellow, green, orange and red (That includes the coordination of what we call election areas of concerns. But as of now, we don't have yet the figures as to the number of election areas of concerns that will be included in the color category -- the yellow, green, orange and red),” Fajardo told reporters in a press conference held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

“We also expect this coming barangay elections although we know it will be quite hot when it comes to the local election that's why this early the PNP prepared, including the other security forces to make sure all risk factors will be determined as early as now so that those best practices and other police strategies to ensure that we have safe and secure elections will be implemented even prior to the declaration of the election period,” she said.

The COC filing period for the 2023 BSKE will be from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.

The Comelec said it will not accept COCs of overaged SK bets and non-resident barangay candidates.

It noted that COCs of youth bets that are over 24 years old and village aspirants not residing in the communities they seek to lead will not be accepted.

Under Republic Act 10742, those running in the SK polls must be a citizen of the Philippines; a registered SK voter; a resident of the barangay for not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the elections; at least 18 years but not more than 24 years of age on the day of the elections; able to read and write; and must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected.

As for barangay candidates, they must be a citizen of the Philippines; registered voter in the barangay where he intends to be elected; a resident there for at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election; able to read and write; and at least 18 years of age on election day. (PNA) 

 

 

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