According to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the initial wave of disqualification cases against candidates participating in premature campaigning for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) will be filed tomorrow.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said that the poll body has already issued show-cause orders to 2,558 candidates who were accused of violating the election law on premature campaigning. Of these, 304 candidates have already submitted their responses.
Garcia said that many of the candidates who responded denied putting up the illegal campaign materials. However, the Comelec will be filing disqualification cases against candidates who submitted “unsatisfactory” explanations.
The poll body is also expected to issue more show-cause orders to other BSKE bets who were found to have engaged in premature campaigning. The campaign period for the BSKE is set to start on October 19.
Garcia had earlier warned candidates that the Comelec would file charges against erring candidates. He also said that charges would be filed against local government officials who interfere and prevent election personnel from removing illegal campaign materials and serving show-cause orders.
The Comelec has committed to resolve pending disqualification cases before election day on October 30.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 27, 2023
