Almost all winning candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) were proclaimed on Monday evening, Oct. 30, according to Commission on Election (Comelec) chairman George Garcia.

“Halos lahat ay naiproklama na kagabi. Kagabi, more or less natapos na tayo sa buong bansa,” he said in an interview during DZRH Dos Por Dos on Tuesday, Oct. 31.

Garcia stated that only winners in the six barangays in Bangsamoro were not proclaimed.

“Meron tayong anim na barangay dito sa Bangsamorro, hindi natuloy ang eleksyon sapagkat dumating ang election paraphernalia nang after 12 o’clock. Meron tayong contingency na kapag lagpas alas dose sa araw ng eleksyon, itutuloy na lang ang eleksyon kinabukasan,” he said.

The election in a barangay in Calbayog City, Samar was also postponed due to the reported insurgent attack on the military, who were carrying election paraphernalia, the Comelec chief said.

But he assured that the voting for the BSKE continues in the affected barangays, with the same voting time from 7 AM to 3 PM.

Garcia said all winners in Bangsamoro were proclaimed despite the reported incidents during the election.

“Doon sa buong Bangsamoro, maayos na tayo lahat diyan. Kagabi, nakapagproklama na rin halos ng buong barangay canvassers natin,” he said.

The Comelec Chief cited that Aurora was the first and quickest area to proclaim winners.

“Nakapagproklama kaagad sila, mga bandang 4:30 [PM] may proklamasyon na,” he said.

When asked about the voting turnout nationwide, the Comelec Chief said they have no numbers yet.

One-week transition period

The Comelec Chief said they have asked the interior and local government department for a one-week transition period between the incumbent and newly-elected barangay and SK officials.

“Base sa desisyon ng Korte Suprema na nailabas dalawang linggo na kung saan na deny ng motion for reconsideration ng Comelec, dapat ang start of office ng mahahalal ay January 1, 2023. Ibigsabihin kapag ka-proclaim nila kagabi, dapat ngayong araw ay assume kaagad. Ayun ang implikasyon ng desisyon,” Garcia said.

“Sabi natin, kung ako ang tatanungin, maganda ang may transition kahit isang linggo. Alam n’yo yung property accountability [...] Kailangan may proper transition naman doon sa bago at luma o yung mga hindi na tumakbo o hindi na nanalo na incumbent,” he said.

Garcia said the one-week transition will be up to the interior and local government department’s approval.