Interior Department Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday urged aspiring barangay chiefs and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates linked to drugs to desist from running in the coming May 14 elections.
“Do your country a favor. Do not even consider the thought of filing your Certificate of Candidacy for any position in the coming barangay and SK elections,” said Año.
“Don’t use public office to cover up your involvement in narco trade. Don’t corrupt public funds for your crimes. Not under the watch of President Duterte. Not under my watch in the DILG,” he added.
This developed as the Commission on Elections will start implementing today (April 14) the nationwide gun ban and other prohibitions in connection with the May 14 village and youth council polls.
The Comelec, in close coordination with the Armed Forces and the police, will also put up checkpoints in all cities and towns. The checkpoints must be clearly marked, located in well-lit areas and manned by authorities in official uniform, the poll body said in a statement.
With the filing of Certificates of Candidacy starting today until April 20, Año underscored the importance of electing barangay officials who are not involved in illegal drugs because they will head the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in their respective localities.
Ano said one of the primary responsibilities of the BADAC is to plan, strategize, implement and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention in the community they represent.
They must also organize and orient BADAC Auxiliary Teams on their roles and functions and in formulating plans of action to address the drug menace.
“How can one have the moral authority to spearhead the drive against illegal drugs in their barangays if they themselves are tagged as protectors, financiers or users?” he said.
The DILG chief also said BADACs are expected to coordinate and collaborate with other institutions like the police and the municipal or city government.
For his part, DILG spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya urged the public to support the department’s campaign for “Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahan” (sensible, skilled and reliable) barangay and SK officials to encourage the public to vote for good leaders.
During this period, the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons and the availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards will be strictly prohibited.
“With the start of the Election Period, it usually means that the election fever is also upon us,” said Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez.
Jimenez said a peaceful and orderly election can also be achieved by strict implementation of the gun ban and placing more checkpoints.
Comelec Resolution 10197, promulgated on September 14, 2017, states that “during the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.”
It stated that only regular members of the PNP, the AFP and other law enforcement agencies of the government who are duly deputized in writing by the Commission for election duty may be authorized to carry and possess firearms during the election period.
However, the Comelec said, “when in the possession of firearms, the deputized law enforcement officer must be: (a) in full uniform showing clearly and legibly his name, rank and serial number, which shall remain visible at all times, and (b) in the actual performance of his election duty in the specific area designated by the Commission.”
To effectively implement the ban on firearms during the election period, the poll body said the checkpoints shall be established nationwide.
“There shall be at least one checkpoint in each city/municipality. However, additional checkpoints, including those coming from PNP/AFP commands outside the city/municipality, shall be established in coordination with the Election Officer (EO) having jurisdiction over the city/municipality,” the poll body said in Resolution No. 10198, promulgated September 14, 2017.
At 12:01 am of April 14, 2018, the ban will take effect and the setting up of checkpoints will commence with a kick-off caravan by Comelec and PNP.
The commission may issue gun ban exemptions to other qualified individuals, “who by nature of their official duties, profession, business or occupation, such as but not limited to cashiers, disbursing officers, persons who are under the Witness Protection Program, etc., are considered as high-risk individuals.”
All application/requirements for gun ban exemptions shall be filed with the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel at the Comelec Main Office, 8th Floor, Palacio del Gobernador Building in Intramuros, Manila.