ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) central office has suspended the proclamation of 25 candidates from Region 6 if they win their respective posts in the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
Comelec-6 director Atty. Dennis Ausan said these candidates face unresolved petitions made by their political opponents, mostly petitions for cancellation of candidacy (COC), petitions to deny the due course of COC, and petitions for disqualification.
“Sa subong, the commission came out with the order of the suspension nga addressed sa 25 respondents nga in the event they will get the winning number of votes tonight [Oct. 30] then their proclamation will be suspended,” Ausan told Panay News.
Police Regional Office 6 data on Monday night revealed that the 25 candidates were from:
* Capiz (one)
One punong barangay candidate – denial of due course to or cancellation of COC
* Iloilo City (one)
One punong barangay candidate – nuisance case
* Iloilo province (six)
Five punong barangay candidates and one SK chairperson – denial of due course to or cancellation of COC and disqualification
* Negros Occidental (17)
Two punong barangays; barangay kagawads – seven; SK chairperson – one; and SK kagawads – seven; all with disqualification cases.
However, Ausan clarified that only a suspension for proclamation was imposed by the Comelec and not the final decision concerning their cases.
“Sa subong wala kita sang numero kon may na-disqualify na kay ti so far wala pa ako may nabatian nga may na-desisyonan na sang commission nga natapos nila nga na-disqualify nga final na bala,” he said.
In a memorandum signed by Comelec chairperson George Garcia, it is stated that “The Commission resolved to approve the suspension of the proclamation of named respondents with pending petitions: 1) to Deny Due Course or to Cancel Certificate of Candidacy (COC); 2) to Declare a Nuisance Candidate; and 3) for Disqualification until further orders from the Commission,”
The poll body then reiterated its policy under Section 600 of Comelec Resolution Number 10924.
This policy authorizes the presiding commissioners of each division and the chairman to issue an order suspending the proclamation of respondent candidates with pending cases.
The memorandum also directed the Deputy Executive Director of Operations to “immediately inform and furnish the concerned Election Officers and Barangay Board of Canvassers (BBOC) with a copy of the Order of Suspension.”
The poll body told the Office of the Clerk of the Commission to inform the respondent candidates and furnish them with a copy of the Order of Suspension.
Meanwhile, the Office of Election Officer has been assigned to monitor the implementation of the Order of Suspension by BBOC. (With a report from the Philippine Daily Inquirer)/PN
