Comelec: Gun ban exemptions valid for SK, barangay polls

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) yesterday said that those given gun ban exemptions in the May 13 elections need not apply for a new one in the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls.

“Gun ban exemptions issued in connection with the May 13, 2013 national and local elections shall be recognized as valid for purposes of the Oct. 28, 2013 synchronized barangay and SK elections,” Comelec Resolution 9735 stated.

Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia explained that by recognizing the exemptions, the poll body would be able to save money.

“The budget given to us is way below what we asked for, so we need to realign some resources so that we can augment the needs of the barangay and SK elections. This is the strategy we will use so that it will be inexpensive as we try to conserve our resources,” he added.

Under Comelec Resolution 9608, exempted from the gun ban were President Aquino, Vice President Jejomar Binay, senators who were not seeking re-election, Cabinet secretaries; chief public attorney; chairperson and commissioners of the Commission on Human Rights and Constitutional Commission; the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman and investigators, prosecutors of the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Solicitor General.

Also exempted are the undersecretaries; assistant secretaries; prosecutor general; chief state prosecutor and regional, provincial and city prosecutors of the Department of Justice.

The undersecretaries, assistant secretaries and the internal security of the Office of the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government; Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, Law and Investigation Division and Intelligence Division of the Bureau of Immigration; Bureau of Corrections, Provincial and City jails and regular officers, members and agents of the following agencies of the government who are actually performing law enforcement and/or security functions are likewise exempted.

Those not in the list but wish to be exempted from the firearm restriction were allowed to have security escorts instead.

But those who managed to avail of bodyguards in the May elections will have to apply for renewal.

Based on the Calendar of Activities of the Comelec, the ban on carrying firearms and employing security personnel shall begin on Sept. 28 when the country officially enters the election period.

Those found violating the gun ban rules face an election offense punishable with imprisonment of up to six years, permanent disqualification to hold public office and deprivation of the right to vote.