2 ‘dynasty’ SK bets disqualified

MANILA, Philippines — For violating the ban on political dynasties, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has prevented two candidates from running in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) this month.

The Comelec yesterday announced the cancellation of the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of Merson Calubag and Ivy Jane Miranda.

Calubag and Miranda are running for SK chair in Barangay Magtangale in San Francisco town, Surigao del Norte, and Barangay Malag-it in Calinog, Iloilo, respectively.

The Comelec’s second division said Calubag was found guilty of misrepresentation, which is a ground for denial or cancellation of COC.

The second division noted that Calubag declared in his COC that he is not related within the second civil degree of consanguinity to an incumbent official in the village where he seeks to be elected.

The Comelec said Calubag is a son of Marilyn Calubag, a kagawad of Barangay Magtangale.

“These material declarations are false since his mother is an incumbent barangay kagawad in the same village,” it said.

Meanwhile, Miranda’s COC was cancelled because her father, June Miranda, failed to validly resign as kagawad in Barangay Malag-it.

“The resignation letter of her father was not valid for the reason that it was not filed before the proper authority or before the mayor of Calinog, who has the power to act on the resignation,” the second division said.

The elder Miranda is still deemed an incumbent elective local official of the same barangay when his daughter filed her COC, it said.

The SK Reform Act of 2015 states that an SK candidate 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.

The Comelec also disqualified Aniano Capinig from running as barangay chairman in Aroroy, Masbate as he was convicted of possession of illegal firearms.

“Capinig’s final judgment of conviction, for which he was sentenced to an offense with a penalty of more than 18 months, disqualifies him from running in the 2023 BSKE,” the Comelec said.