• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
With the filing of Certificates of Candidacy for the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections ending on September 2, the Commission on Elections reported that a total of 29,640 candidates have filed COCs.
Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria said that the six-day COC filing period for the BSKE, which started August 28 also turned out peaceful.
There are 662 seats up for grabs for the position of barangay captain, with 1,611 vying for that post. Among the candidates, a total of 1,239 are male, and 372 female.
In the race for barangay councilor, where 4,634 seats are available, 15,612 aspirants filed COCs. Of these candidates, a total of 11,097 are male, while 4,515 are female, Comelec records further showed.
The position of Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson also has 1,882 aspirants, where 1,117 are male, while 765 are female.
A total of 10,535 individuals also filed their COCs SK member, with 5,616 males and 4,919 females.
Comelec also warned candidates against premature campaigning, as the official campaign period will start on October 19 until 28. The BSKE elections are scheduled on October 30 this year.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson reminded candidates in the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections that their sole purpose is “public service.”
“You must dispense with any motivations that are not aligned with the resolve to make a difference in the lives of your constituents,” Lacson said.
“Integrity, hard work and commitment to service must be the compass guiding your leadership and service to our fellow Negrenses. I wish you all the best,” the governor said.*
