Comelec Suspends Proclamation of 25 Aspirants in Western Visayas for Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections

Western Visayas — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the suspension of the proclamation of 25 candidates in Western Visayas who are running in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

According to Philippines News Agency, the suspension order was issued because these candidates have pending cases. The order was served to the Board of Barangay Canvassers, instructing them not to proclaim the candidates in the event they win.

Data from Comelec showed that 21 petitions for disqualification had been filed. Additionally, three cases were for denial of due course to or cancellation of their certificate of candidacy, and one was for being a nuisance candidate. PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Sidney Villaflor stated that he has directed all provincial and city directors to assess the situation and take appropriate action.

The candidates affected by the suspension include five aspirants for punong barangay in Iloilo province, two in Negros Occidental, and one each in Capiz and Iloilo City. Also included are two SK chairpersons from Negros Occidental and Iloilo province, as well as seven barangay kagawad and seven SK kagawad in Negros Occidental. Iloilo City Elections Assistant II Jonathan Sayno mentioned that the suspension for respondent Mark Winston Maloto was issued due to him being a nuisance candidate. Jose Martin Maloto claimed that Mark Winston created confusion by being one of three candidates running with the same family name in Barangay San Juan, Molo.

While the election process is generally peaceful, Philippine National Police recorded four suspected cases of election-related incidents, according to Brig. Gen. Villaflor. These included a shooting incident involving supporters and relatives of candidates in Calinog, Iloilo, as well as allegations of rape, acts of lasciviousness, and vote buying in Negros Occidental.

In Antique, Provincial Election Supervisor Salud Milagros Villanueva reported that the 2023 BSKE was conducted seamlessly in all 521 voting centers in the province. Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, police confirmed that all three villages identified as areas of grave concern were able to peacefully conduct the BSKE. In Moises Padilla, Maj. Joevito Bose described the elections in villages identified as areas of concern as “very peaceful.”

In Bacolod City, 364 persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the Metro Bacolod District Jail – Male Dormitory also voted. Among them, 80 PDLs were eligible to vote for SK officials. Jail Officer 1 Charlene Valerio, head of community relations service, stated that PDLs have the right to vote and that they are assisted in their rehabilitation while inside the jail.