THE Commission on Elections has extended the period for filing certificates of candidacy for the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections to 5 p.m. today, Saturday.
The period for filing certificates of candidacy was supposed to end at 5 p.m. on April 20.
Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the commission ordered the extension in view of the concern that the number of candidates who would be filing their candidacies would fall short of the 338,584 SK positions to be filled.
The Comelec had considered extending the period for filing certificates of candidacy for the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections shortly after the National Youth Commission urged it to do so.
“The Comelec has received the NYC’s request. It is currently being discussed by the [commission] en banc,” Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in a text message.
In the Senate, Senator Bam Aquino said the May 14 SK elections would provide promising young leaders a level playing field through the anti-dynasty provision of the SK Reform Act.
Under the new SK Reform Act, he said, all would be given the opportunity to serve especially that, for the first time, the provision against political dynasties would be implemented.
Senator JV Ejercito on Friday challenged the Filipino youth to prove their worth and their sector’s social significance by participating in the SK elections under the SK Reform law.
“I am calling on all the youth, 15-30 years old, to participate in the coming SK elections next month,” Ejercito said in a statement.
“It doesn’t matter whether you are a candidate or not as long as you participate because this is your chance to prove your importance as members of society.”
Meanwhile, the Interior department on Friday urged voters not to elect candidates with shady backgrounds and questionable conduct in the coming Barangay and SK elections.
Interior Undersecretary for Barangay Affairs Martin Diño said the electorate should not take chances on corrupt candidates.
In resolution 0013 dated April 20, 2018, signed by NYC officials, the NYC said there was a persistent clamor among SK aspirants to extend the filing deadline to the weekend.
As of Friday, the Comelec reported that a total of 181,296 COCs for the SK elections had been filed in various Comelec offices nationwide, while there were 300,000 seats to be filled up for the 2018 SK elections. With PNA