1,101 Central Luzon BSKE bets get show-cause orders

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines — Up to 1,101 candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in Central Luzon have been issued show-cause orders for premature campaigning.

Elmo Duque, assistant regional director and spokesperson for the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Central Luzon office said three other show-cause orders were issued for alleged vote buying as of yesterday.

A majority of those issued show-cause orders are candidates in Bulacan.

Bulacan provincial election supervisor Mona Ann Aldana-Campos said more than 500 show-cause orders were issued to BSKE candidates in the province.

The Comelec is expected to decide on disqualification cases before election day.

On so-called election hot spots in the region, Duque said only Barangay San Francisco in Laur, Nueva Ecija is under “red“ category or an election area of grave concern. An encounter between New People’s Army rebels and government troopers occurred in the area recently.

He said five barangays are under “orange“ category or areas of immediate concern and 41 under “yellow“ or areas of concern.

No untoward incident was reported during the first day of the campaign period in Central Luzon, according to regional police director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo.

“From the outset of the barangay and SK elections campaign period until its culmination on Oct. 28, we hope for a continued atmosphere of tranquility,“ Hidalgo said.

He gave assurance that the police and its partner agencies are committed to provide security to ensure a safe, orderly, honest and peaceful elections.

Hospitals on code white alert

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) said hospitals and other health facilities in Calabarzon would be placed under “code white alert” from Oct. 28 to Nov. 5 in view of the BSKE as well as the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Code white alert refers to the readiness of medical personnel in hospitals and health offices to provide the necessary health services.

“This is in anticipation of eventualities because several people will troop to designated precincts and cemeteries. There are also those who will be traveling for their vacation,” Center for Health Development-Calabarzon regional director Ariel Valencia said.

The DOH assured the public that all disaster risk reduction management units are on standby. The One Hospital Command will operate on the said dates around the clock.

The health department vouched for the readiness and availability of health emergency response teams and commodities for deployment, as the need arises. — Ric Sapnu, Rhodina Villanueva