The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is seeking explanations from several candidates participating in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) for what they deem as premature campaigning.
In an interview with DZRH, COMELEC Chairman Atty. George Garcia stated that eleven (11) show cause orders will be issued today, in addition to the nine issued yesterday.
"Ngayong araw po, ire-release po namin mga 11 ang mai-isyuhan ng subpoena. Kahapon naman, ang naisyuhan namin ng show cause order ay siyam. Ngayong araw, mas marami kaming mailalagay na show cause order para sa ilang nag-violate ng premature campaigning," he said.
According to officials, the show cause orders will serve as the basis for addressing complaints and disqualification cases.
They also reminded some candidates who are campaigning on social media to be cautious.
"Ngayon po, 'yung tinatawag naman po nating [campaigning] sa social media, may pa-ilan-ilan din na talaga umi-style at nilalagay ang mga mukha nila, at 'yung iba ay sinasabi 'yung ginagawa ni sa pang-araw-araw, sana po ay iwasan nila," he continued.
"Kapag po kasi may pormal na complain laban sa isang kandidato, ang iniisyu po namin ay show cause order, subpoena na agad, pero kapag nakita namin na may na-violate, amin pong pinagsho-show cause order dahil pinage-explain mo namin sila kung totoo 'yung alegasyon na 'yon," Garcia added.
Under COMELEC Resolution 10905, campaigning by candidates is prohibited from September 3 to October 18.
The campaign period set by the poll body for the Barangay and SK Elections runs from October 19 to October 28.
