Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) Chairman and San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora said on Thursday, Oct. 19, that the council and other concerned agencies of the government have already set up various steps to ensure the peaceful and safe holding of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30.

Mayor Francis Zamora

In a radio interview, Zamora, who is also the Metro Manila Council (MMC) president, said they do not want any problems with regards to the peace and order of the BSKE and its campaign period which started on Oct. 19 and will last till Oct. 28.

"Nung huling RPOC meeting namin eh napagusapan namin tong pagsesetup ng checkpoints, kasalukuyang gun ban, and very soon magkakaroon din ng liquor ban a few days before election day. Lahay ng ito ay plinano na ho natin at ineexecute sa ngayon (During our last RPOC meeting, we have discussed the setting up of checkpoints, the ongoing gun ban, and very soon, the implementation of a liquor ban a few days before election day. All of these have been planned and are being executed as of now)," the mayor explained.

"Isa pa sa napagusapan noong pagpupulong eh sana wag magkaroon ng mga brownouts sa araw ng halalan kasi kadalasan, ako naranasan ko, na nung minsan na napakaraming mga tumakbo, yung eskwela ay biglang nagbabrownout. Ngayon ito ay nagiging dahilan na magkaroon ng kaguluhan so we have coordinated ahead of time with Meralco na siguraduhing meron tayong sapat na kuryente sa ating mga paaralan (Also discussed during the meeting are the necessary steps needed to ensure that there will be no brownouts on the day of the elections. I myself experienced this when there were a lot of candidates and the school where I was casting my vote suddenly had a brownout. This is oftentimes the reason why there are fights and chaos during elections. Hence, we have coordinated ahead of time with Meralco to ensure that there is enough supply of electricity in our schools)," he added.

Rules

The Commission on Election (Comelec) had earlier enumerated its list of rules and regulations for the start of the campaign period which include removing, destroying, obliterating, defacing, tampering, or preventing the distribution of lawful propaganda; posting displaying, distributing, and using illegal campaign materials; making any donation or gift in cash or in kind; appointing or using special policemen, special/confidential agents or the like; using armored land, water, or aircraft; policemen and provincial guards acting as bodyguards of public officials or candidates.

This period also prohibits the release, disbursement, or expenditures of public funds; construction or maintenance of barangay-funded roads and bridges; appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration of privileges in the barangay.

Giving away of ballers, t-shirts, caps, or anything of value, big or small is also prohibited.

Giving, accepting free transportation, foods, drinks, and things of value as well as selling, furnishing, offering, buying, serving, or taking intoxicating liquor will not be allowed until election day.

Comelec has listed several acts that will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Comelec said that the possessing or delivery of any coins, notes, monies, cards, pay envelopes, bags, groceries, tokens or anything of value, together with sample ballots or other campaign materials in favor of or against a candidate will be presumed as avote buying and vote selling.

Also, offering or promising something of value in consideration for someone's vote; long lines or queues of registered voters/persons for the distribution of money, discounts, insurance or health cards, grocery items, and such other goods, intended to be used to induce the persons to vote for or against any candidate or withhold their votes in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

The Comelec also said that house-to-house campaign which involves the giving of money, discount cards, grocery items, and such other goods, to induce the household or the occupants to vote for or against any candidate or withhold their votes in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

The holding of bingo games, talent shows or other similar activities that involves the distribution of prizes by the candidates or their supporters or by any person in which the names of the candidates are mentioned, or those conducted in a place where the names or the pictures of the candidates are displayed or visible will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Employing the "hakot" system or the gathering of two or more registered voters to a specific place before election day and on election day, for the purpose of distributing money or anything of value and/or sample filled-out ballots will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Possessing, transporting, and/or carrying cash exceeding P500,000 or its equivalent in any foreign currency during the period of five days before an election and on election day, except for those authorized persons will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Causing the splitting of the amount of at least P20,000.00 into smaller denominations of P100, P50, or P20, during the period of five days before election day and on election day, except when necessary to or in connection with the occupation or business of the possessor will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Conducting medical missions, legal aid services, feeding programs, or any caravan offering any or all of these services in a certain barangay or locality, in which the names of the candidates are mentioned, or those conducted in a place where the name or picture of a candidate is visible or displayed will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Giving, distributing, and receiving any assistance or "ayuda" except those which are normally given to qualified individuals such as but not limited to basic needs in the form of food, transportation, medical, education, burial, and such other similar assistance, during the campaign period, day before election day and election day will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Hiring or appointing more than two watchers per precinct per candidate, who shall serve alternately will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Possessing on election day, indelible ink or any chemical that may remove indelible ink such as but not limited to acetone, nail polish remover, or paint thinner, except when necessary to the occupation of the possessor and those authorized by the Commission will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.

Possessing of blank original ballots during election day, except those authorized by the Commission will be presumed as vote buying and vote selling.