City shouldering poll contributions

CEBU, Philippines - The 80 barangays in Cebu City will no longer be giving their monetary counterpart for the barangay polls, as Cebu City Council had finally approved the P14.7-million supplemental budget yesterday.

Though Commission on Election Resolution 979 requires all barangays to allocate at least P10,000 but not more than 10 percent of its general fund to the Comelec to help defray the expenses of the Board of Election Tellers, the city government  has offered to shoulder  the election expenses.

The amount was incorporated in the Supplemental Budget-2 intended for this year’s operations.

The appropriated fund was based on the breakdown of amounts for the total expenses of the upcoming election on October 28, which was submitted by Comelec North district and south district election officers Marchel Sarno and Edwin Cadungog, respectively.

Sarno earlier explained that the amount will be used for the honoraria, training and allowances of BETs and compensation of election technicians, among others.

Sarno also said those barangays who have already given election contributions will be refunded after the publication of  the resolution. These are barangays of Kamagayan (P63,000),  Carreta (P171,000), Tinago (P100,000), San Roque (P108,000), Tejero (P216,000) and San Antonio (P54,000).

Today was the supposed deadline by Comelec for the contributions.

Meanwhile, the filing of the Certificates of Candidacy ended yesterday. Since Comelec started accepting COCs six days ago, a total of 1,080 candidates will be running for barangays positions in north district while the south district has a total of 917 aspirants.

The election campaign will start today. Cadungog is reminding candidates to follow the Comelec guidelines on campaigning or the Comelec Resolution 9615 which provides the rules and regulations of implementing Republic Act 90006 or the Fair Election  Act.

According to the Comelec, among the provisions that are commonly violated are the size of campaign posters and posting in unauthorized areas.

As stated in RA 9615, posters of political parties and party-lists are allowed at 12x16ft but should not exceed a total area of 192 square feet.

As for independent candidates, sizes of posters are allowed at 4x6ft and should not exceed a total area of 24 sq. ft.

Candidates can only put up their campaign posters in common poster areas upon the approval of the Comelec office and through their city or municipal election officers.

One common poster area can be set up by a candidate or party for every 5,000 registered voters or less and can add another common area for one’s posters for every additional 5,000 registered voters.

The Comelec is also reminding the candidates on the strict prohibition on putting up of campaign propaganda on trees and plants located along public roads, parks, school premises and other public grounds.

Sarno also said the BET training will start next week, 2,076 teachers will be serving in the north district, while 2,589 will be serving in south district. Three teachers will be assigned per precinct, the north district has 692 poll precincts while south has 863.  (FREEMAN)