Comelec sets San Jose del Monte, Bulacan plebiscite on Oct. 30

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the plebiscite for the conversion of San Jose del Monte (SJDM), Bulacan into a highly urbanized city on October 30, 2023, the same day as this year’s  Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

“The plebiscite for the conversion of San Jose Del Monte City into a highly-urbanized city, pursuant to Proclamation No. 1057, will be conducted simultaneously with the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections,” Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said in a press statement.

Laudiangco said the poll body has adopted the 2023 BSKE calendar of activities and all prohibited acts provided for under Resolution No. 10905 as applicable to the conduct of the plebiscite.

With this, the campaign period from October 19 to 28 will be the same for both the plebiscite and the 2023 BSKE.

During the said period, the holding of barangay assemblies for the plebiscite is allowed not only for the purposes of allowing candidates to present their respective programs of administration and qualifications, but also for information campaigns for the plebiscite.

Laudiangco said the premature campaigning will be applicable for both the plebiscite and the BSKE.

All duly-registered and qualified voters of Bulacan for the 2023 BSKE are eligible to vote in the plebiscite from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to the Comelec spokesperson, the votes for the BSKE will first be counted before the votes for the plebiscite. — Hana Bordey/RSJ, GMA Integrated News