Comelec sends show cause orders to over 600 BSKE bets for premature campaigning

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday that it will proceed with the filing of election offenses and disqualification cases against candidates in the Oct. 30, 2023 barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth) elections (BSKE) who failed to explain their premature campaigning activities.

Candidates, hoping to get elected, file their certificates of candidacy (COCs), under the watchful eye of Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman George Garcia, inside SM Manila, on 28 August 2023. Voters across the country will have to vote for the following positions on October 30: one barangay chairman, seven Sangguniang Barangay members (kagawad), one SK chairperson and seven SK members. PHOTO by MIKE ALQUINTO

So far, a total of 626 BSKE candidates have been issued show cause orders by the poll body.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said if the concerned BSKE candidate fails to submit a response within three days from receipt of the show cause order, he or she is set to face due process.

As of Friday, September 15, Garcia said the poll body has yet to receive a response from concerned BSKE bets.

The campaign period for the BSKE will officially commence on October 19.