The transfer of 10 barangays to Taguig from Makati became a “logistical nightmare” for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as it rushed to print another set of ballots for the Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
The Supreme Court ruled that part of Makati is under the jurisdiction of Taguig. The 10 barangays that were transferred to Taguig are Cembo, Comembo, East Rembo, Pembo, Pitogo, Post Proper Northside, Post Proper Southside, Rizal, South Cembo and West Rembo.
Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay (left) at the Comelec-Muntinlupa office on Aug. 28 (Jonathan Hicap)
Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia (left) at the COC filing in Taguig on Aug. 28 (Photos from Taguig City government)
“Ang naging logistical nightmare doon is to change the ballot that we already printed. Siyempre hindi pwede nakalagay doon Makati. Dapat nakalagay Taguig (What became a logistical nightmare was to change the ballot that we already printed. Of course, it should not indicate ‘Makati.’ It should be ‘Taguig’),” Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay told Manila Bulletin as he visited the Comelec-Muntinlupa office recently.
Bulay is the commissioner-in-charge for the BSKE and a former councilor in Muntinlupa.
He said voters in the 10 affected barangays do not need to file anything with the Comelec to change their voter’s registration.
“Hindi na kasi meron kaming roster nila respective of each barangay (No because we have their roster respective of each barangay),” he said.
For the 10 barangays, Comelec is finishing to print 228,149 new ballots for the barangay election and 461,434 new ballots for SK.
The Comelec-Taguig office is accepting certificates of candidacy (COCs) for the 38 barangays including the 10 new barangays.
These are Barangays Bagumbayan, Bambang, Calzada, Central Bicutan, Central Signal Village, Fort Bonifacio, Hagonoy, Ibayo-Tipas, Katuparan, Ligid-Tipas, Lower Bicutan, Maharlika Village, Napindan, New Lower Bicutan, North Daang Hari, North Signal Village, Palingon, Pinagsama Village, San Miguel, Santa Ana, South Daang Hari, South Signal Village, Tanyag, Tuktukan, Upper Bicutan, Ususan, Wawa and Western Bicutan.
With the Supreme Court decision, Bulay said, “Ang Comelec ay sumunod sa Supreme Court decision, katulad ng DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government], katulad ng DepEd [Department of Education] (Comelec followed the Supreme Court decision just like DILG, just like DepEd).”