SK polls moved to April 25

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has reset the conduct of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections to April 25.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the members of the poll body have agreed to reschedule the SK polls while awaiting approval of the law postponing the elections to October 2016.

Jimenez noted Congress has passed the measure postponing the elections with President Aquino poised to sign it into law.

“Both Houses are already in agreement. The only thing left is the bill being signed into law by the President. That hasn’t happened yet. The Comelec does not want to preempt the President’s signature,” Jimenez told a press conference yesterday.

Jimenez said the postponement would give the President sufficient time to sign the law.

He added the deferment would also provide SK candidates more time to prepare if ever the President decides not to reset the election next year.

But once the law is signed, it would overtake the Comelec resolution moving the elections to April 25, he said.

“So if the bill becomes a law, the SK election is postponed. If the bill does not become a law, then everyone interested in participating in the SK elections now have more time to prepare,” Jimenez said.

With the postponement of the SK polls the election period for it will be from March 26 to May 10.

The election period was supposed to run from Feb. 6 to March 2 if elections were held on Feb. 21 as initially scheduled.

Carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons as well as use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates and organizing or maintaining reaction or strike force are prohibited during election period.

Illegal release of prisoners and transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers, are also prohibited.

Those interested to participate in the SK can file their certificates of candidacy on April 11, 13, and 14.

Campaign period for SK candidates would begin on April 14 until April 23.

The Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) yesterday granted the motion of the Comelec to reset the electoral sabotage trial of former President now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo due to preparations of the poll body for the SK elections.

Judge Jesus Mupas of RTC Branch 112 granted the motion of the prosecution to reset the hearing to Feb. 26 for the presentation of prosecution witness Maguindanao election officer Estrellita Orbase.  – Perseus Echeminada