• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections has already issued 73 show cause orders to candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Negros Occidental, allegedly for premature campaigning, as of October 5.
Of the issued show cause orders, 40 were served to BSKE 2023 candidates in various barangays of EB Magalona, according to a report of the Comelec provincial office.
Show cause orders were also issued to barangay and SK candidates in cities of Bacolod, Sipalay, Bago, La Carlota, Himamaylan, and Kabankalan.
BSKE candidates prohibited from the distribution of any item or giveaways that may have value, as it is considered a form of vote buying under Section 2618 of the Omnibus Election Code.
Comelec urged the public to report the use of illegal campaign materials and premature campaigning via email at law@comelec.gov.ph or its hotlines (02) 8527-2768/1897/0843.
The official campaign period for the BSKE will be from October 19 to 28.
Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria earlier said that the issuance of show cause orders to erring BSKE candidates has lessened tensions at the barangay level.
The number of election areas of concern (EAC) in Negros Occidental remains at 51, out of 662 barangays in the province.*
