Campaign starts for barangay, SK polls

MANILA, Philippines - The campaign period for candidates running in the Oct. 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections officially starts today.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) spokesman James Jimenez yesterday urged candidates not to be over enthusiastic in wooing voters, saying that they have to observe campaign restrictions.

Jimenez said each candidate in the synchronized polls is allowed to spend only P3 per voter.

Republic Act 9006 or the Fair Elections Act states that overspending constitutes an election offense, which is punishable by ouster from public office.

Under Comelec Resolution 9043, candidates, their spouses or relatives within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity or their campaign managers, agents or representatives shall directly or indirectly not make any donation, gift in cash or in kind or contribute to the construction or repair of any infrastructure during the campaign period that runs from Oct. 14 to 23.

The periodic payments for legitimate scholarships and school contributions habitually made before the prohibited period are excluded from the prohibition.

At stake in the coming polls are 42,000 seats for barangay and SK chairmen and 294,000 posts for barangay and SK council members.

The Comelec reported that there are 50.2 million registered voters for the barangay polls and 2.4 million voters for the SK elections.

Jimenez said candidates should also make sure that their campaign streamers and posters are displayed in common poster areas identified by the Comelec.

“But it’s not only where the posters are placed. The sizes of their campaign materials should also be correct. They should not post the materials on trees,” he added.

The size for posters has been pegged at 2x3 feet while the size of the streamers should not exceed 3x8 feet. The size of pamphlets, leaflets, cards, decals, stickers and other printed or written materials shall be limited to 8 1/2 x 14 inches.

Jimenez also asked incumbent barangay chairmen and Comelec election officers (EOs) to organize barangay assemblies where candidates can present their platform of government.

“All the candidates must be invited. But if an incumbent chairman is also a candidate, it might be better if the assembly is initiated by our EOs because opponents might not attend,” he said.

The Comelec has encouraged the public to be vigilant about illegal campaign streamers and posters by reporting violations to the local EOs.

“But we do not encourage them to take it into their hands.