ILOILO City – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will open the filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the November 2, 2026 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in the second week of September, but aspirants who jump the gun on campaigning risk disqualification and criminal charges, poll chief Edwin Garcia warned during his visit here on February 20.
Garcia stressed that the prohibition against premature campaigning takes effect immediately upon the filing of a COC — even if the official campaign period has yet to begin — underscoring the commission’s readiness to strictly enforce election laws.
“Sabi nga natin, mga second week ng September mag-start na ng filing of candidacy at pagkatapos nun, isang linggo lamang ay magkakaroon na ng campaign period,” Garcia said.
The BSKE is scheduled on November 2.
Garcia also clarified that this year’s barangay and SK polls will be conducted manually, not through an automated election system.
“Ngayon po gusto din natin i-emphasize dahil ito ay Barangay and SK Elections (BSKE), ito ay manual na halalan, hindi po ito automated,” he said.
The Comelec chairman issued a stern reminder that once an aspirant formally files a COC, the ban on early campaigning automatically applies.
“Pag nag-file ng candidacy ang lahat ng kandidato, sa barangay at kahit na sa Sangguniang Kabataan, ang prohibisyon laban sa tinatawag na premature campaigning — ibig sabihin nun, pag nag-file sila ng kandidatura, bagamat hindi pa simula ng campaign period, sila ay puwede naming kasuhan, sila ay i-disqualify at hindi kami mag-aatubili,” Garcia said.
Garcia further reiterated that distributing goods or rendering public services that could be construed as campaigning is strictly prohibited once a COC is filed./PN
