Comelec reminds mayors not to coerce brgy execs

CEBU, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned mayors that they cannot dictate, threaten or coerce barangay officials to campaign for them.

Lawyer Jerome Brillantes, acting Comelec Cebu provincial election supervisor, said such act is an election offense.

"No, they (mayors) can't do that. They cannot dictate (barangay officials on whom they should be campaiging for or endorsing to). It's a free will. It's up to the barangay official whom he or she wants to campaign for. Just like ordinary persons, no one can dictate them also on who they choose," he said in English and Cebuano.

For Brillantes, there is a thin line between "convincing" and "forcing" barangay officials on what they should do and who they should campaign for.

Local candidates have started campaigning already even if the campaign period at the local level is still in March.

A Supreme Court ruling guarantees that they are not yet covered under the election laws.

Brillantes said definitely barangay officials are allowed to campaign personally for the candidates they deem qualified for a certain position.

"Well, they (barangay officials) are political in nature because they were also elected. During campaigning, especially this election period, they (elective barangay officials) can campaign. There is no prohibition on that so they can campaign (for local candidates). They have the freedom to do that," he explained.

However, barangay officials are prohibited from being affiliated with any political parties or with a local official during their candidacy because they have to be non-partisan.

He said mayors are also prohibited from intervening in the delivery of basic services at the barangay level.

Brillantes said as what has been commonly heard, mayors threaten to delay or hamper the delivery of goods and services of the barangay if the officials defy his or her directive.

On the part of the barangay, village officials are also barred from using the resources and funds to campaign or endorse a certain candidate, he added.  —/MBG (FREEMAN)