CONSULTATION. Commission on Elections chair George Erwin Garcia (center) is flanked by Philippine National Police chief, Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. (left), and Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino during a coordinating conference at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office on Tuesday (June 27, 2023). The activity is part of the poll body's series of public hearings until June 29 on the proposed deferment of the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – Negros Oriental constituents are divided on the proposed deferment of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in the province as set nationwide on October 30.
Local government officials, civil service organizations, church, business, youth, and other sectoral representatives took turns airing their sentiments during a coordinating conference in the morning and a public hearing in the afternoon in this capital city
Public hearings and consultations were also held on the same day in other cities and municipalities across the province.
The first of a series of public hearings from June 27 to 29 is designed to help the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc come up with a decision on whether to postpone the BSKE in Negros Oriental to a later date as allowed by the law.
Comelec chair George Erwin Garcia and other en banc officials, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. were present in both activities.
The AFP and the PNP, who gave their respective briefings on the security and peace and order in the province, presented a “generally peaceful” environment in the province that would not warrant the postponement.
Col. Alex Recinto, acting police provincial director of Negros Oriental, in his briefing said statistics showed a reduction in most crimes this year.
On the other hand, Col. Joey Escanillas, 302nd Brigade Commander of the Philippine Army, said that the joint AFP and PNP campaign against the insurgency has “somehow diminished the movement.”
The law enforcement officials, however, said that regardless of the date of the BSKE, they are always ready to deploy additional forces if necessary and have contingency plans in place.
Those who favored the deferment of the Oct. 30 polls were the Diocese of Dumaguete headed by Bishop Julito Cortes and the Diocesan Electoral Board/Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting/National Movement for Free Elections, whose position papers were read during the coordinating conference at the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office.
Earlier, nine mayors in Negros Oriental also intimated their support for the postponement.
Security concerns, threats, possible violence, and anticipated criminal activities were cited as among the primary reasons for backing the deferment.
The Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry, headed by its president Edward Du, initially said in its statement that it has to listen first to the security briefings of the police and military before making their stand.
However, Du said that after the AFP and PNP gave their reassurance that they were confident of a safe, peaceful, and orderly BSK elections, the chamber will be backing the original schedule.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) also unanimously pushed for the holding of the BSKE as scheduled, saying they see no reason to delay it.
Negros Oriental 1st District Rep. Jocelyn Limkaichong is also on the same boat with the SP, said Board Member Jessica Jane Villanueva.
Several Dumaguete City councilors are also supporting the move to hold the BSKE as scheduled.
Commonly shared reasons for those who are against the postponement include a perceived peaceful atmosphere, a “booming” economy, and the picking up of the tourism industry.
Garcia told reporters in an interview later that he was satisfied with the turnout and success of the coordinating conference because it was rare to have both the AFP and PNP chiefs together in one event.
He said it will not be an easy task but he reassured the Negros Oriental constituents that the poll body will do its best to ensure the BSK elections will proceed smoothly without any interruptions.
“We have shown not just to the people of Negros Oriental but the entire Filipino people that the Comelec will not hesitate to use the forces of the government just to ensure an honest and clean elections,” Garcia said.
He warned those who may have intentions of disrupting the polls to think twice because the security forces are ready to respond at any given time.
The Comelec chair asked the AFP and the PNP for their reassurance and full support so that all deliverables will be met for the conduct of the grassroot polls.
The Comelec en banc will gather all reports from the field and discuss thoroughly the pros and cons of the proposed deferment.
The decision will be made sometime in late August or September, he said. (PNA)
