2 M voters signed up for barangay, SK polls – Comelec

MANILA, Philippines – The 15-day voter registration for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections ended yesterday with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) vowing to do its best to implement the anti-political dynasty provision of the SK law.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said around two million voters signed up for the synchronized polls that will be conducted on Oct. 31.

Bautista said the next step for the poll body is to scale up the preparations, particularly the Project of Precincts, which involves identification of precinct assignment of voters and board of election tellers or teachers manning the polls.

He said the certificates of candidacy (COC) would have a section wherein SK candidates will attest that they do not have any relative up to second degree of consanguinity who are elected officials.

“We hope to implement the anti-dynasty provision in the law through this system. The law prohibits a relative of a mayor, for instance, or any elected official from running in the SK elections,” Bautista said.

The Comelec chief cautioned SK candidates that the COC is filed under oath and any wrong information given by them may lead to their disqualification or ouster from office.

The filing of COCs for barangay and SK polls will be from Oct. 3 to 5. 

Asked if there is a need to abolish the SK, Bautista said it’s up to Congress to decide.

The Comelec, under the leadership of former chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., had recommended the scrapping of the SK, saying it has become a breeding ground of political dynasty.