Thursday, August 16, 2007

Comelec issues sked for SK, barangay polls

By: Lee Ann P. Ducusin
THE Commission on Elections has issued a calendar for the scheduled barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan on Oct. 29.

Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos yesterday issued Resolution No. 8264, which prescribe the activities for the political exercises.

The poll body is set to inspect polling places starting today to Aug. 30.

It also warned that the last day for filing petitions for inclusion or exclusion in the proper municipal or metropolitan trial courts is on Aug. 20 except for Muntinlupa City, which is on Sept. 3.

Election officers will post the final list of voters for the synchronized baranggay and SK elections from Sept. 14 to Oct. 28.

The prohibition on the issuance of appointments, promotion, creation of new positions, filling up of vacant positions or giving salary increases for government agencies or offices will start on Sept. 29.

The election period will start on Sept. 29 and will end on Nov. 13.

Abalos said that during this period several activities are banned.

They are alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; illegal release of prisoners; raising of funds through dances, lotteries, cockfight, and others;

Carrying of firearms, deadly weapons; organizing or maintaining reaction/strike forces or similar forces; transfer and detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers;

The use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates whether or not such bodyguards are regular members of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines or other government law enforcement agency; and suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officer.

The filing of the certificates of candidacy will be from Oct. 11 to Oct. 18.

The campaign period will start on Oct. 19 and will end on Oct. 27.

During the campaign period, posting, displaying, distributing and using illegal campaign materials; making any donation or gift, in cash or in kind; use of armored/land/water/air craft; construction or maintenance of provincial, city, municipal or barangay-funded roads and bridges, among others, are prohibited.

Abalos said he is hoping that everybody will follow the calendar so that the country will have a clean, honest and orderly elections.

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