A total of 19 people were killed while 19 more were injured during the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 from Aug. 28 to Oct. 31, 2023.

Based on the data provided by the poll body in a press conference on Tuesday, October 31, from the Philippine National Police (PNP), this was out of 29 incidents recorded in different parts of the country.

But despite these incidents, Garcia stated, in an earlier press briefing, that the conduct of the BSKE 2023 elections was generally peaceful.

"Pag tiningnan niyo pa rin, maliit na porsiyento pa rin yung nagkaroon ng disruption as against doon sa natuloy ang ating halalan (When you look it, this disruption is a small percentage against to the elections that pushed through). And to us that's a victory of sort," Garcia explained. 

Meanwhile, as of Tuesday, out of 42,001 barangays, 41,436 or 98.65 percent have finished canvassing while 40,157 or 95.61 percent have been proclaimed.

Garcia said there are still unproclaimed candidates because there are areas where candidates garnered the same number of votes.

For instance, he stated that in Robinsons Manila, two candidates settled a tie through a toss coin. However, there are areas where the Electoral Board (EB) did not immediately decide to conduct a toss coin or drawing of lots as a resolution.

"We should proclaim the winning candidates at all costs today," Garcia said.

Continuation of polls

Garcia disclosed that there are three barangays in Bayang, Lanao del Sur who are currently conducting a continuation of its elections on Tuesday after a delay in the delivery of their election paraphernalia. They are expected to finish in the afternoon and will be able to proclaim the winning candidates.

There are also two barangays in Calbayog City that are currently holding their elections after insurgents halted the delivery of election paraphernalia during election day.

Vote buying

Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. who heads the Committee on Kontra Bigay, disclosed that they have received 183 reports of vote buying. He said that they have already filed 27 cases while 56 more are set to be filed.

Currently, they are evaluating 100 reports in relation to vote-buying. 

"Now magkikick-in na po yung prosecution part. Dito na po makikisama yung ibang partners sa Department of Justice and other prosecutory arms of government (Now the prosecution part will kick in. Our partners such as the DOJ and the other prosecutory arms of government will be helping us)," he said.

He explained that while they have a lot of reports, they have to be substantiated. Maceda added that they will wait for the actual formalization of the complaints because if this will not push through, they will analyze if the evidence is enough for a motu proprio filing of charges. 

"As much as we can, we are going to try and make sure that we will bring the perpetrators to justice. Those who we can disqualify immediately we will, and as we have done in the past," he said.

"We are going to prosecute for election offenses whether they are candidates, or supporters or voters themselves," he added.