As the Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced the rescheduling filing of Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) to August, it also released the calendar of activities leading to the said polls.
Under Resolution 10902 promulgated on March 22, Comelec released the list of activities and prohibited acts during these periods.
According to the resolution, the election period will also be in effect with the start of the COC filing until Nov. 29, 2023. The filing of COCs is set from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2.
Campaigning is therefore prohibited from Sept. 3 to Oct. 18.
Prohibited acts during the election period include bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms for other deadly weapons in public places including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, or even if licensed to possess or carry the same unless authorized in writing.
Also prohibited during this period is the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates; alteration of territory of a precint or establishment of a new precinct; raising of funds through dances, lotteries; cockfights; vote-buying and vote-selling; wagering upon result of election; transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers; coercing, threatening, intimidating or terrorizing any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties; illegal release of prisoners before and after elections; organization or maintenance of reaction forces, strike forces or similar forces; and the suspension of local elective officials.
Comelec set the campaign period on Oct. 19 to Oct. 28.
Prohibited acts during this period are 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; release, disbursement or expenditures of public funds; construction or maintenance of barangay-funded roads and bridges; and appointment or hiring of new employees, creation of new positions, promotion or giving of salary increases, remuneration of privileges in the barangay.
Campaigning will be prohibited on the eve of election day from Oct. 29 up to Oct. 30. 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 set Nov. 29 as the last day to file their Statements of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).