Behave if you want to be proclaimed as winners, DILG tells barangay poll bets
By Chito Chavez

Winning candidates for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) may not be proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) until the poll-related complaints against them are resolved, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos said on Saturday, Oct. 21.
In a statement, Abalos assured that the DILG will perform its mandate and remove the concerned BSKE candidates from their posts while the Comelec continues to hear their poll-related cases.
“Kaya kahit manalo kayo, basta’t ipinag -utos ng Comelec na pababain kayo, I will make sure na kayo ay matatanggal sa inyong puwesto. Gagawin natin ito upang mapanatili ang integridad ng halalan. (Even if you win, if the Comelec declares you to step down from your post, I will make sure that you are removed from your position. We are doing this to maintain the integrity of the election process). Let us give the voters the respect they deserve,’’ Abalos emphasized.
Abalos issued the caution after the DILG received complaints about BSKE candidates ‘deliberately committing the prohibited acts defined in our election laws, especially illegal campaigning and vote buying.
He pointed out that in particular, some BSKE candidates oversized campaign posters, placing them outside the designated common poster areas as well as vote buying using online fund transfer and even providing various forms of ‘ayuda’ as assistance to the voters.
Abalos stressed that the department together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as its attached offices “is committed to help the Comelec in going after campaign violators nationwide and to ensure that they are prosecuted in accordance with existing election laws.’’