COMELEC DISCUSSES UPCOMING BARANGGAY AND SK ELECTIONS ON KAPIHAN SA AKLAN.
COMELEC DISCUSSES UPCOMING BARANGGAY AND SK ELECTIONS ON KAPIHAN SA AKLAN.
September 9, 2023—Kapihan sa Aklan convened once again at Latte Coffee Cafรฉ, Marzon Hotel Compound, to engage in a discussion regarding the forthcoming Barangay and SK Elections. The guest speaker for the event was Mr. Crispin Raymund B. Gerardo, the COMELEC Aklan spokesperson and election officer.
Attended by a number of students from Northwestern Visayan Colleges and Infant Jesus Academy, the conference was not lacking in terms of curious and insightful questions brewing in the minds of the students attending, particularly as the topic concerns them, the youth, especially.
The conference started with Mr. Gerardo stating the three main concerns of the commission: Security, Process, and Manpower. He stated that process especially needs further consideration, saying that โIt takes two to tango,โ urging the public to deeply consider their votes and to file complaints as per due process.
He added later to avoid seeking clarification from outside sources like Social Media and instead go directly to the COMELEC Office itself.
Owing to the increase in the number of candidates this year, Mr. Gerardo emphasized again the process of filing COCโs for candidates saying that the office cannot accept haphazardly done COCโs with missing information, especially if with inconsistencies.
He then expanded on the No Campaigning rule for candidates, stating the only appropriate time to promote oneself is during the campaigning period which will occur during October 19 to 28 and only then.
As for the moral obligation of the public during this election season, Mr. Gerardo says: โFocus, focus, focus sa tama,โ following a discussion about vote selling, a problem that still plagues the COMELEC Office now especially.
Rest assured the office itself is taking strides to fulfill their moral obligations also as it plans to implement an Anti-Dynasty Law, prohibiting candidates running for office if they have any filial connections to another person, especially if in a higher position, already in office. This is called the SK Reform Act.
Its implementation will ensure that our local government does not fall prey to political dynasties, and instead foster a progressive and competitive democratic process.
Finally, COMELEC wants to clarify that during the election months, August 28 to November 29, there will be an implementation of a Gun Ban. This was enacted mainly for security reasons. This gun ban will primarily affect firearm owners as it will prohibit their right to carry in public excepting that they are in their homes. Firearms are now effectively โMala Prohibita,โ as mere possession is already a violation.
With that the curtain closes on another successful and insightful Kapihan sa Aklan. Join us next week on another conference via our live broadcasts on Kalibo Cable TV or on the Aklan Press Club Inc. FB page every Saturdays.
Article by: Adrian Lasay (BACOMM 2nd Year)
