COMMITMENT. Western Visayas Regional Elections Director Dennis Ausan (3rd from left) leads participants to the multi-sectoral peace assembly in reciting the statement of commitment for the Oct. 30 polls held simultaneous with the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City on Monday (Oct 30, 2023). Ausan said the assembly is a “show of coordination” in preparation for the Barangay and SK elections. (PNA photo by PGLena)
ILOILO CITY – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas has recommended the filing of cases against six candidates in the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) allegedly for premature campaigning and vote buying.
“I just cannot disclose the details. Those are cases for disqualification for premature campaigning and even violation of our law on vote buying,” Western Visayas Regional Elections Director Dennis Ausan, said in a media interview on Monday.
Those who were accused of premature campaigning reportedly used social media and tarpaulins to advance their candidacy.
Ausan said his office issues show-cause orders for unverified complaints.
In the case of verified complaints, the candidate has 48 to 72 hours to answer, and the regional election supervisor will come up with a recommendation on whether or not to file a case.
Ausan said more than a hundred candidates running for various posts in the barangay and SK polls in the region are facing complaints filed with the Task Force Anti-Epal or the Task Force Anti-Premature Campaigning, where show cause orders are served directly to candidates.
He said the commission has initiated formal charges against those with show cause orders and is now the subject of a formal hearing.
“We expect that there will be disqualification decisions that will be handed down by the commission before election day,” he added.
Ausan led the nationwide multi-sectoral peace assembly for the 2023 BSKE in Western Visayas, held simultaneously with the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City on Monday.
He said the assembly is a “show of coordination” in preparation for the Oct. 30 polls.
The participants recited and signed the commitment for the secure, accurate, free, and fair conduct of elections that culminated with the release of doves. (PNA)
