Comelec to issue 174 show cause orders vs. BSKE bets over alleged premature campaigning

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will issue an additional 174 show cause orders to  candidates in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) allegedly involved in premature campaigning.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said the candidates will be summoned to explain themselves before the poll body.

This is in accordance with their possible violation of Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code, which prohibits election campaigns or a partisan political activity outside the designated period.

“Kahit na para itong show cause lamang, para part ng investigation process natin, binibibay ang lahat na makasakot, we call that due process, ayaw nating magsampa ng kaso na hindi natin napapagaralan mabuti,” he said.

[This is part of our investigation process ... we will give them a chance to explain since we don’t want to file a case that we haven’t studied thoroughly.]

“As of kahapon pinapadala na natin lahat ang mga pangalan na ‘yan na mga show cause orders. Sa kasalukuyan wala pa tayong natatanggap na kasagutan basta tatandaan natin it is always based on the date of the receipt of the notice to explain,” he added.

[As of yesterday, we have sent out a number of show cause orders. At present, we have yet to receive their replies.]

On Monday, at least 296 show-cause orders were sent by the Comelec to allegedly violating candidates.

Another batch of 174 show cause orders will be sent within the day, said Garcia.

“Isipin niyo nakaapat na daan na tayo, ibig sabihin lang, ang daming nagrereklamo, alam nilang inaaksyunan ng Comelec,” he said.

[We have received over 400 (complaints), this means many are complaining (and) they know the Comelec will act on these.]

Another 94 complaints are still under investigation.

Task Force Kontra Epal

Meanwhile, the Comelec has established 'Task Force Kontra Epal' to handle complaints and file cases against alleged violators.

“We have to institutionalize the mindset of everybody more particularly the candidates should be ‘we have to follow the rules, we have to follow the law.’ Yun po ang dapat. Ngayon, kinakailangan makapag-sample po ang Comelec, kinakailangan may ma-file na kaso at ma-disqualify bago mag October 30. Wala akong pakiaalam kahit isa o daan ‘yan, basta we will have to disqualify and file cases against these people,” he said.

(That's what it should be. Now, the Comelec must act to file a case on a candidate and be disqualified before October 30. I don't care if it's just one or a hundred. We will have to disqualify and file cases against these people.)

Garcia also expressed disappointment on Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates that are violating the Ombinus Election Code.

“Kaya nga tayo may SK para maging mayos na leader sa kinabukasan, e paano mo aasahan na SK, bata palang e nagvi-violate na ng law. Lalo na pag lumaki payan at tumanda, nagkaposisyon pa na mas mataas,” he stressed.

(SK officials must be good leaders for the future, but how can you expect that from an SK who is still young but is already violating the law? What more when he grows up and gets older or gets into a higher position.)

Under Comelec Resolution 10905, campaigning is prohibited between September 3 and October 18, 2023. The campaign period is from October 19 to 28.

Garcia has repeatedly encouraged voters to file complaints against candidates who will campaign even before the official campaign period starts.

“Huwag matakot ‘yung mga magko-complain kasi bibigyan natin ng protection, kahit hindi under oath yung reklamo aaksyunan natin ‘yan,” Garcia said.

[Those who want to complain should not be afraid because we will give them protection. Even if the complaints are not under oath, we will act on them.]

The BSKE 2023 will be held on Monday, October 30. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News