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HEADLINES
One-week transition for winning bets
By Nidz Godino
"Although DILG will forgo requirement for winning bets to submit SOCE before assumption to office, there must be proper turnover to avoid problems," Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia explained, referring to Statement of Contribution and Expenditures winning candidates in barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) may not be able to immediately assume their posts after Commission on Elections (Comelec) requested Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) to allow at least week's transition.
Garcia requested DILG for transition period for newly elected barangay and SK officials from incumbents.
"Even if Supreme Court said winners can already assume, we hope there's one-week transition because of monetary accountabilities… may be something missing and new winners may be blamed," he stressed.
Garcia said DILG agreed to Comelec's request and will issue memorandum concerning the matter.
Garcia also stressed all candidates, including those who lost in elections, are still required to submit SOCE by Nov. 29.
He said winning candidates must secure certification from Comelec they submitted SOCE, and even those who withdrew from elections are still mandated to submit document.
Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco said winning candidates with pending disqualification cases will not be proclaimed. He said Comelec has so far filed disqualification cases against 220 BSKE candidates for premature and illegal campaigning.
Comelec also filed disqualification complaints against 27 other candidates for vote buying, Comelec filed disqualification cases against 60 more BSKE candidates for premature and illegal campaigning.
Only minor hitches were observed during BSKE, according to election watch group Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), deployed thousand volunteers as early as 4 in the morning.
LENTE volunteers observed some voters in Naga had to walk to polling precincts because roads were closed. There were also missing names in voters' lists, and long queues in early voting.
In general, LENTE said, mall voting was smoothly facilitated with little to no concerns. Across all 17 regions in the country, LENTE observed evident relaxation of health and safety protocols compared to 2022 elections.
It also observed instances when security personnel from Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police were situated at voting centers, disregarding 50-meter rule.
For its part, Manila Electric Co. said voting period for BSKE ended without any major power interruption. Meralco said minor incidents that were reported were isolated and immediately resolved with help of its crews strategically positioned in service areas.
Department of Energy, meanwhile, said report from National Electrification Administration from 5 to 11 in the morning indicated 61 out of 99 electric cooperatives experienced power interruption.
DOE said 162 interruptions were recorded with average duration of 56.22 minutes. However, agency said as of noon, only seven electric cooperatives had ongoing power restoration, with six affected voting centers.
All barangay tanods deserve P1,000 monthly incentive hazard pay given inherent dangers in ensuring peace and order in the community, Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said.
Estrada, chairman of Senate committee on labor, filed Senate Bill No. 794, proposed measure that would grant P1,000 per month in hazard pay to all duly appointed members of barangay brigades.
Estrada noted that while barangay tanods receive same benefits as other barangay officials, they are given measly honoraria or allowances amounting to around P600 monthly.
Senator said funding for hazard pay shall initially be sourced from budget of DILG, while its subsequent implementation will be included in budgets of local government units.
In Congress, Senior Citizens party-list Rep. Rodolfo Ordanes is asking President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to push for creation of new barangays from ones already "overpopulated."
Local Government Code provides barangays in NCR and in highly urbanized cities should have at least 5,000 residents while other barangays should have at least 2,000 residents.
"I am hoping President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will push for creation of new barangays from many overpopulated barangays starting with oversized barangays in Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Metro Davao and many cities of Calabarzon," he said.
Ordanes added there are also many barangays in provinces that have "over three times minimum population so it is better to just carve out new barangays from ones with oversized population."
Despite incidents of violence in Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Comelec declared BSKE as "generally peaceful."
"Generally, when you look at it, from 5 in the morning onwards, election was generally peaceful nationwide even if there are a few incidences of violence, especially in Bangsamoro," Garcia said at press briefing.
Garcia puzzled why Bangsamoro people are so passionate that they resort to violence.
"I cannot understand why polls are so intense, especially in area of Bangsamoro….everyone is so passionate when it comes to elections…all of us are passionate but there must be no fistfights, shootings and deaths," Garcia said .
Comelec recorded 29 confirmed election-related violent incidents, but BSKE was held smoothly and no election-related incidents were reported in all of 365 areas previously classified by commission as "areas of concern."
At least four people were killed as violence marred BSKE in various parts of the country.
In Maguindanao del Norte, two people were shot dead in town of Datu Odin Sinsuat. Shooting occurred along Cotabato-Sharrif Aguak road in Barangay Bugawas at around early 6 in the morning., police said.
Killed were Juhaimin Ube and an alias Mistake. Four other people were wounded , Mohalidin Solaiman, Jerik Alon, Nasrudin Salik and Harong Tating.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said pursuit operations are ongoing against perpetrators, identified as Romar Abas, Keds Lidasan, Michael Abas and Teng Kapaya.
Another shooting happened in Butig in Lanao del Sur, killing village chief candidate Madid Bao, husband of Barangay Poktan incumbent chair Conaipa Bao. Madid was killed at 6:25 in the morning during alleged shootout with his wife's political opponent.
In Bacolod town, Lanao del Norte, shootout between supporters of two candidates for barangay captain broke out at 6:10 in the morning.
Reports reaching Western Mindanao Command stated shooting between supporters of incumbent Barangay Punod chair Abdul-Latif Rascal and aspiring chief candidate Soud Lumbak Palman broke out in Sitio Perlo.
Military said followers of two candidates got into commotion, drew their firearms and exchanged gunfire. No one was hurt but civilians in the area scampered for safety.
Meanwhile, poll watcher of candidate for barangay chairman in Matungao, Lanao del Norte was beaten up in Barangay Poblacion at around 6 in the morning. Victim was attacked by watcher of another aspirant for barangay captain.
In Barangay Lahi-Lahi, Tuburan town in Basilan, village chief Ibrahim Atang and five others were injured after Coast Guard member Said Unos Uyag ran amok outside polling center. Uyag was reportedly accompanied by four unidentified men armed with machetes who attacked voters.
In nearby Sinulatan village, voting was temporarily disrupted when poll watchers and supporters of rival candidates engaged in fistfights and indiscriminate firing lasted for more than hour.
In Lamitan City, also in Basilan, CAFGU militiaman Euliano Custodio Enrique was killed after he shot dead village councilor Nadjuhal Mahamud Antataha and wounded chairman Jemson Bandojo Cervantes of Barangay Luksumbang, according to Lamitan Police chief Lt. Col. Arlan Delumpines.
Delumpines said Antataha died on the spot while Cervantes managed to retaliate and subsequently killed their attacker.
Police said investigation was conducted to determine motive of attack and to find out if incident was related to election.
In San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, last termer barangay captain Danilo Simon, 50, was attacked and punched by three men, one of them armed with handgun, inside his house in Barangay Culaylay.
Violence also marred elections at two polling precincts in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.
Argument between poll watchers and voters occurred in three polling precincts at Pilot Elementary School in Barangay Kalipay.
After sides were pacified, commotion broke out among supporters of candidates. It was discovered later 346 unused official ballot forms had been torn.
Acorda said four schools were hit by fire Sunday, one each in towns of Barira and Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao del Norte. Other two incidents are in Northern Mindanao and Bicol. One incident was caused by malfunctioning electrical wires and not related to elections.
35 validated election-related incidents in BSKE may either match or surpass 40 incidents recorded in previous BSKE in 2018, PNP announced.
PNP has so far documented election-related incidents in BARMM and Cordilleras.
Other incidents were recorded in Calabarzon, Bicol, Ilocos, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga peninsula.
Acorda said 17 vote buying incidents were documented across the country, with three each in Ilocos and Soccsksargen, two in Western Visayas and one each in Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, Zamboanga peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region and Metro Manila.
Up to 1,995 people were arrested for possession of firearms and other deadly weapons in violation of nationwide gun ban.
At least 5,564 guns were confiscated, surrendered and deposited at police stations for safekeeping.
Although separate violence incidents occurred in some areas in Bangsamoro region and commotion in Puerto Princesa, Garcia said these did not prevent elections from pushing through and that they will pursue legal charges against suspects.
Garcia said counting of ballots nationwide is expected to start immediately after closing of polling precincts and proclamation of winners to be done by 11 in the evening at the latest.
As of press time, Garcia said Comelec could not still determine voter turnout. He, however, expressed confidence it could reach their target of more than 70 percent.
Among persons deprived of liberty in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Garcia said Comelec recorded high turnout of 77 percent and 92 percent at Bureau of Corrections.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos agreed with Comelec's assessment that BSKE was generally peaceful despite reports of cases of vote buying.
"It is generally peaceful, especially in National Capital Region but if you can see PNP was very proactive and many were arrested for vote buying," Abalos said, adding since start of campaign period, at least 380,000 checkpoints were conducted.
BSKE in whole of Visayas was generally peaceful, Armed Forces of the Philippines said.
"All efforts, sacrifices and time spent in planning and preparations have paid off, as far as voting for barangay and SK elections in Visayas is concerned, it is very peaceful… timely and synchronized deployment of security forces, especially in areas included in election watchlist areas, played important role in ensuring safe, peaceful and orderly election in the region," said Lt. Gen. Benedict Arevalo, commander of Visayas Command.
He attributed peaceful outcome of BSKE in Visayas to collaborative efforts of Comelec, Department of Education, PNP and Coast Guard.
Comelec declared as successful, pilot testing of early voting hours for senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PWD) and heavily pregnant women.
It also declared trial mall voting in 11 selected areas of the country success in BSKE
Garcia said poll body pilot tested early voting scheme in two cities , Muntinlupa in Metro Manila and Naga in Bicol with polling centers opening for elderly, PWD and heavily pregnant from 5 to 7 in the morning.
Muntinlupa Mayor Ruffy Biazon wished scheme would be expanded nationwide after seeing good turnout among elderly and PWD. City has about 5,100 senior citizens and 1,000 PWDs.
Garcia described implementation as "blockbuster" with elderly lining up as early as 4 in the morning to cast their votes.
"We could see our senior citizens were happy and contented with their early voting…we could also say we have accomplished what we wanted to achieve with mall voting," Garcia said, noting those who voted in malls "enjoyed one-of-a-kind experience."
With around 60,000 voters able to cast their votes in different malls nationwide, Garcia said Comelec might expand its coverage to include more of country's malls during 2025 local and national elections.
Poll chief also reported 880 persons deprived of liberty or PDL in detention at Bureau of Corrections were able to cast their votes from 6 in the morning to 2 in the afternoon.
He said PDLs are among "vulnerable sectors" that must still be provided right of suffrage.
"We should never disenfranchise anybody," Garcia stressed as he explained PDLs who participated in voting were still without final conviction.
On the use of automated voting machines, he noted while some of these were reported to have malfunctioned, it did not deter pilot testing of automated BSKE and winning candidates were expected to be proclaimed as early as 6 in the evening.
Also in BSKE, Comelec deployed number of policemen to serve as election board members in Abra province and in some areas in Mindanao after thousands of teachers backed out from performing poll duties.
It also reported elections pushed through in Maguindanao despite shooting incidents resulted in death of two people. Garcia said PNP has already launched manhunt operation against those involved in shooting incidents.
To support BSKE, Department of Health (DOH) deployed number of health personnel in several selected priority cluster precincts nationwide to provide basic health services to voters and election workers.
Human Resources for Health or HRH, according to statement, were stationed in voting precincts to give free, timely and effective basic first aid assistance, essential medicines and access to emergency medical services.
HRH was also tasked to ensure all hazards, risks and dangers to health are addressed in relation to BSKE.
"They were also given instruction to coordinate with DOH and local government unit hospitals for referral of patients if need arises… DOH hospitals were tasked to prepare their health facilities and resources to receive election-related patients," statement noted.
DOH is also conducting survey among its licensed hospitals to check on their capabilities in putting up senior citizen ward and determine whether hospitals are currently providing geriatric health services and investing on fixed and tangible assets to manage senior patients and cater to their needs.
"It is imperative to assess readiness of government-owned hospitals in establishment of senior citizen ward among its catchment population and provide necessary investment to complement said service in terms of clinical and ancillary health support services, infrastructure, equipment and human resource, among others," its Department Circular 2023-0481 read in part.
Meanwhile governor and 13 mayors from Luzon are being investigated for alleged vote-buying activities in connection with BSKE.
Garcia said poll body is "investigating one governor and 13 mayors because reported vote-buying incidents were conducted right inside their houses and premises."
Comelec chief stressed local government officials should not interfere with the BSKE.
"We have reminded them…LGU officials to not interfere with barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections because, if they do, it would only create problems in election," he said.
Garcia said Comelec, upon receiving reports of vote buying, immediately deployed election officers to investigate. Several of these reports turned out to be "fake news."
According to Commissioner Ernest Maceda, Comelec received " total of 168 reports of vote-buying," with 28 cases of that number filed prior to elections.
Maceda said 168 vote-buying reports is much lower compared to over 1,200 complaints received during May 2022 elections.
Comelec was preparing filing of vote-buying charges against 46 BSKE candidates, adding that 94 complaints are still being evaluated and remain pending for resolution.
"You draw your conclusion from that, but for us this is very positive and encouraging sign our efforts have borne fruit," Maceda said.
For this year's poll, Garcia noted Comelec has not received any report of vote buying using digital wallet platform. This development, he added, could be attributed to Comelec's intensified campaign.
In what was called "historic" turnout, 303 inmates of Manila City Jail cast their votes in BSKE.
"For first time, inmates voted in village and youth council elections," Abalos said before his ocular visit to city jail.
Twenty-five female inmates cast their votes at the city jail's Malasakit Hall.
Elderly and disabled inmates were escorted to regular polling areas in schools and were given special lanes, according to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology chief Supt. Ruel Rivera.
Total of 2,293 inmates in prisons under Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) were qualified to vote for BSKE.
According to BuCor, 983 inmates came from Davao Prison and Penal Farm.
This was followed by 950 registered inmates from New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa City.
Of figure, 864 inmates came from NBP's maximum security compound, 61 from medium security building and five from minimum security compound.
Around 333 inmates were registered from Leyte Regional Prison Farm and 47 from Correctional Institution for Women.
In Malabon, at least 110 inmates voted for BSKE candidates, city police chief Col. Jay Baybayan said.
In 2022, Supreme Court issued a resolution, allowing inmates to vote in national and local elections.
In Tineg town, Abra unopposed candidate for Barangay chairman succumbed to cardiac arrest before election began in Barangay Lanec.
Re-electionist and unopposed Barangay Chairman Jeffrey Tingday, suffered cardiac arrest at around 3 in the morning at the house of Bong Veles, also candidate for Barangay Chair of Barangay Lapat Balantay, same town.
Tingday was rushed to Rural Health Unit (RHU) of Tineg, Abra and was later transferred to Abra Provincial Hospital, in the provincial capital in Bangued. He was declared dead-on-arrival during transfer.
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