• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has served 25 more show-cause orders (SCOs) to candidates of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in Negros Occidental allegedly for premature campaigning.
As of Oct. 5, this brought to 73 the number of SCOs issued and served by the Comelec in Negros Occidental.
These include 40 served to candidates in various barangays of E.B. 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.
Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code, which the Comelec cited, states that “it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.”
The campaign period is set from Oct. 19 until Oct. 28.
Election Day is on Oct. 30.
The Comelec is urging the public to report the use of illegal campaign materials and premature campaigning via email at law@comelec.gov.ph or via the hotlines (02) 8527-2768/1897/0843.
Provincial Elections Supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria earlier said the issuance of show-cause orders to erring BSKE candidates has lessened tensions at the barangay level. | GB
