Comelec changes election period

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has rescheduled the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) election period to October 1 to 30.

Originally, the election period was to start on September 23.

The filing of certificates of candidacy was also moved to October 1 to 11, while the new campaign period now falls on October 12 to 22.

Cebu election supervisor Lionel Castillano said the commission is legally allowed to adjust the timeline for election preparations as stipulated under Section 29 of  RA 6646 (An Act Introducing Additional Reforms in the Electoral System and for Other Purposes).

Castillano explained that the new schedule will give the Comelec more time to prepare.  Preparations continue until such time the lawmakers, in a bicameral session, reach a final decision on the conduct of the elections.

Members of the House of Representatives have already recommended moving the elections to May 2018. A proposal at the Senate seeking to move it to October 2018 has also yet to clear second reading.

“I think now they will hold it in May (2018) and hold over (of incumbent elected government officials). By that time, Martial Law in Mindanao has been lifted and we can have synchronized elections,” Castillano said.

Yesterday, Castillano met with representatives from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to activate a provincial joint security control center, which was still part of the poll preparations.

“Our main task is to provide security in the implementation of gun ban,” said Navy Lieutenant Commander Ermil Nasayao, who attended the conference.

The gun ban will start October 1, instead of September 23. Comelec will start receiving gun ban exemption applications today.

A gun ban exemption can be granted to qualified individuals like cashiers, disbursing officers, high-risk persons, or those under the witness protection program.

Castillano said the Comelec and the police have yet to identify the “hotspots” for the barangay and SK elections. But the PNP already has a security plan template, which it can modify should the polls push through next month.

“If no law will be passed by October 1 (postponing the elections), we will have a meeting at CPPO (Cebu Provincial Police Office), and then we'll start preparations for the security plan,” Castillano said.

He also said the Comelec has printed 30 million of the 72 million target official ballots, clarifying that these can still be used if the polls will be postponed. (FREEMAN)