The Commission on Election (Comelec) on Friday filed disqualification cases against 35 candidates over alleged premature campaigning for the synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) slated in October.
The cases were filed by Comelec’s Task Force Anti-EPAL.
In an interview with the media, Comelec - Task Force Anti-EPAL head Nick Mendros said the 35 BSKE bets had been conducting campaigns by putting up posters in public places and on social media platforms.
The said aspirants hailed from the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, and Calabarzon.
Mendros said the early conduct of the campaign was a violation of Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines.
“We have a legal basis that they have violated the code,” he said.
According to Comelec’s clerk Genesis Gatdula, the disqualification cases will be then raffled in the division for resolution, and a summons will be sent to the respondents through email.
He said the respondents must file an answer on the summons within five days.
“With or without the answer, the same must be submitted immediately for resolution,” Gatdula added.
Once the Comelec issues a resolution declaring that a BSKE bet is disqualified, he or she may face election offenses.
The offense ranges from one to six years of imprisonment, perpetual disqualification from holding public office, and forfeiture of the right to suffrage.
The Comelec’s clerk said they are aiming to finish the disqualification cases before Oct. 30.
As of Sept. 29, the poll body’s data showed that there are 119 probable cases out of the 3,198 show-cause orders sent to BSKE bets.
