PEACE COVENANT. Hundreds of aspirants for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, take their oath for peaceful polls during the launching of the '"Ang Maayong Politiko" campaign on Tuesday (Sept. 19, 2023). The province of Negros Oriental has been placed under Comelec control for the upcoming BSKE. (PNA photo by Judy Flores Partlow)
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued show cause orders against two aspirants in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Negros Oriental, an official said on Tuesday.
Lawyer Eliseo Labaria, acting provincial election supervisor, disclosed this during the launching of the “Ang Maayong Politiko” education campaign, candidates’ forum, and peace covenant signing at the convention center in this capital city.
The launching signals the start of a province-wide campaign initiated by the Diocesan Electoral Board (DEB) of the Diocese of Dumaguete in cooperation with the Comelec, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the academe here.
Labaria said the show cause orders were served to a candidate in Bais City and to another aspirant at a still undisclosed locality pending the service of the notice.
Violations cited include premature campaigning and vote buying with the poll body issuing a show cause order if they determine a probable cause when acting on a complaint against a candidate, he said.
The candidates were given a certain number of days upon receipt of the order to file their reply otherwise cases will be filed against them accordingly.
Labaria, in his message to about 700 barangay and SK aspirants from this city, warned against premature campaigning, saying this is a ground for disqualification.
Meanwhile, Msgr. Julius Heruela, DEB convenor, said the candidates’ forum aims to impart to the poll bets what the electorate needed from their chosen barangay and SK officials.
“The constituents want their local officials to listen to their concerns and be a voice for them in bringing these concerns to the proper authorities and agencies,” Heruela said.
On Sept. 24, he said simultaneous candidates’ forums and peace covenant signing activities will be held in the different towns and cities in Negros Oriental. (PNA)
