Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr. called on local chief executives (LCEs) to assist the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in removing all illegal election propaganda materials for the 2023 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang kabataan Elections (BSKE).
In Memorandum Circular No. 2023-105, Abalos urged the LCEs to provide the Comelec with the necessary equipment to tear down unlawful election material displays and designate LGU personnel who will assist the election officer concerned in removing the illegal election paraphernalia.
Abalos explained that a punong barangay (village chief) may assign the barangay tanod (security officers) in assisting the Comelec representatives for the purpose.
Abalos also asked the local executives to “issue an Executive Order (EO) in the designation of the LGU personnel/barangay tanod who will extend assistance to the Comelec officer as deemed necessary in the performance of their functions.
“Further, all concerned are encouraged to immediately report to COMELEC any prohibition form of election propaganda for confiscation, removal, destruction and/or prevention of the distribution of any illegal/unlawful propaganda materials,’’ Abalos stated.
Abalos instructed all DILG regional directors and field officers to immediately disseminate in the widest form the said circular in their respective jurisdictions.
The BSKE is slated on the last Monday of Oct. 2023 (Oct. 30, 20,2023) as stated in Republic Act (RA) No. 11935 otherwise known as “An Act Postponing the December 2022 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.’’