BACOLOD CITY – Six barangay captains here are running unopposed in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 30.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said these candidates are from Barangays 7, 15, 24, 25, 32, and 36.
The SK chairmen from Barangays 24, 36, and 37 and SK kagawads (councilor) from Barangays 25 and 34 are also running unopposed.
A total of 2,917 candidates filed Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) in the BSKE here. Filing was held from August 28 to September 2. One-hundred sixty-one are running for barangay captain, 1,590 for barangay kagawad, 166 for SK chairman, and 1,000 for SK kagawad.
Kathrina Trinio-Caña, city election officer, ordered BSKE candidates to follow the election laws on campaigning. She said that premature campaigning is strictly prohibited at this time and they might be disqualified based on the guidelines on the matter.
Caña said that the campaign period is from October 19 to 28 but she has seen posters in various areas here even before the filing of the COCs. She said that posters in public places or private properties even if with permission from the owners should be removed by the candidates as this is a violation of the election law.
Caña urged candidates to remove posters before the Comelec conducts “Oplan: Baklas” or these will be considered confiscated election materials.