CEBU CITY – Election officials have warned candidates against early campaigning in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in October.
Ferdinand Gujilde, election officer of the Commission on Elections (Comelec)-Cebu City North District, said those who have filed their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) should wait for the campaign period to start.
“Even wearing shirts with ‘vote for campaign’ is prohibited,” Gujilde said.
The filing of COC started on August 28 and will end on September 2. The campaign period will be from October 19 to 28.
Guijilde said there were minor glitches that were encountered during the first day of the filing of COC.
Some of the candidates filed COCs for barangay councilor when they were actually running for barangay captain.
Some also filed for SK positions but were found to be overaged, Guijilde said.
“That’s something that we should watch out for. We have to check their qualifications...if they are overage or underage. We are also checking if they are registered,” said Gujilde.
Also on Wednesday, August 30, members of the Cebu City Joint Security Coordinating Center (CJSCC) met to discuss the guidelines for the upcoming BSKE.
Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said one of the main issues that were discussed was the security preparations that this city will take.
The CJSCC chaired by the Comelec, agreed that random checkpoints will be intensified to make sure that no one will violate the election gun ban.
Rafter reminded that the permit to carry firearms outside the residence is suspended during the gun ban.