Comelec proclaims all winners of barangay, SK elections | ABS-CBN

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Comelec proclaims all winners of barangay, SK elections

Comelec proclaims all winners of barangay, SK elections

Victoria Tulad,

ABS-CBN News

 | 

Updated Nov 01, 2023 06:00 PM PHT

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Poll watchers make sure the ballot box is now empty before they starting the count at the end of voting at Paranaque Elementary School Central in Paranaque City on October 30, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Poll watchers make sure the ballot box is now empty before they starting the count at the end of voting at Paranaque Elementary School Central in Paranaque City on October 30, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATED)— The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday said all winners in the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) have been proclaimed.

Comelec Spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said 100 percent of the results from 42,001 villages nationwide were transmitted as of 3 p.m.

Laudiangco and Comelec chief George Erwin Garcia thanked law enforcement authorities and the Department of Education for securing the local elections. They also expressed gratitude to other government agencies and offices, election watchdogs, and candidates and voters.

Barangay Naguma in Calbayog City in Samar was the last village that canvassed their votes after a 2-day delay.

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On Monday, the team supposed to conduct the elections was allegedly harassed by armed assailants as they were walking to their polling precinct. Soldiers kept the Comelec team safe, but they decided to go back.

The board of election inspectors tried to go to Naguma Village again on Tuesday, where they allegedly met members of a criminal gang. An encounter happened and one of the gang members was caught.

Election finally took place in Naguma on Wednesday morning, followed by the canvassing of votes and proclamation of winners.

However, some winners in other areas faced pending cases before Comelec due to illegal campaigning, vote-buying, and other election offenses. These cases must first be resolved before the candidates can assume office.

Out of the 256 candidates with pending cases, 59 have won with their proclamations duly suspended.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos also reminded all winners to have a proper turnover with their predecessor and sign the necessary documents.

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PDL VILLAGE COUNCILORS

Three of the winners in this year’s elections are persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) who ran as village councilor—one from Datu Esmael Village, Dasmariñas, Cavite; another from Kay-Buto Village, Tanay, Rizal, and one from Ipunan Village, Cagayan De Oro City.

PDLs have previously participated in the BSKE but this is the first time that someone ran and won, said the Comelec. There are no guidelines yet as to how PDLs will govern.

“Natigil po tayo sa implemenation ng PDL voting, since 2018 po nagkaroon ng temporary restraining order," said Laudiangco.

"Dahil na-lift na po at na-dismiss na yung Aguinaldo vs Comelec, napahintulutan na po silang magboto at therefore po talagang nasa kanila ang karapatang tumakbo,” he added.

“Hindi pa naman po sila convicted with finality, pending appeal ang kanilang kaso.”

The poll body, however, assured the public that the crafting of this could be finished within the three-week transition period that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) created for outgoing and incoming officials.

Abalos said PDLs still have to follow the law even if they won.

“There will be no special treatment... Kung nakakulong ka dito, hindi naman puwedeng porket nanalo kang kapitan eh 24 hours nasa telepono ka,” Abalos said.

"We’ll have to discuss these things with the Bureau of Jail Management [and Penology]” added the official.

If a PDL is convicted, he would be removed from office. The rule of succession will follow based on the Local Government Code, according to Laudiangco.

"Kung mayroon mang nasa ilalim pa nila, ranking below them, aakyat po yun. Yung mababakante again mapupunta sa seventh barangay kagawad at yun po ang i-aappoint ng mayor," he said.

Comelec, meanwhile, reminded candidates to remove or take down their campaign posters and other campaign materials 5 days after the polls to avoid a possible case.

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