(This story has been updated – please visit https://digicastnegros.com/house-oks-bill-extending-terms-of-brgy-sk-officials-to-six-years/)
The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) will he held on December 1 as scheduled, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia assured on Monday, June 9.
Garcia, who was in Bacolod City with other Comelec officials for a post midterm elections assessment, said at a press conference at Seda Capitol Central that they discussed preparations for the BSKE, which have already started.
“We were informed by reliable sources that Congress is about two finalize the final version of their bill that states that the elections by December 1 will have to proceed, “ Garcia said.
Congress is also discussing that the elected BSKE officials be allowed to serve for four years per term instead of three years, subject to only one reelection, he said.
The BSKE votes will be counted manually and polling centers will again be set up for Kanlaon Volcano evacuees, he added.
He noted that the voters turnout during the midterm elections in the Negros Island Region (NIR) was 82 percent, which was close to the nationwide turnout of 82.2 percent.
The BSKE voting will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 1, but the Comelec will again set early voting hours for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and pregnant women, he said.
Garcia said the BSKE registration of voters will be from July 1 to 11 and the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) will be from October 1 to 7.
He warned that premature campaigning will not be allowed once the candidates file their COCs, with the campaign period set in Nowember yet.
Garcia also warned that local officials supporting barangay candidates also cannot prematurely campaign and use government resources or projects to do so.
The Comelec will file charges against those engaged in premature campaigning, he warned.
COMELEC commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. said public officials who use government resources and programs to assist barangay candidates in their campaigns will also face charges for abuse of state resources.
Garcia was joined at his Bacolod press conference by Maceda, Comelec Executive Director Teopisto Elnas Jr. and NIR Regional Election Director Lionel Marco Castillano.*