Poll candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) whose Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) were rejected by local office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) may still appeal the decision before the Commission.
In a radio interview, Comelec chairperson George Garcia said they are ready to decide on such cases if elevated to them.
“They can come to us and appeal the decision by our local Comelec,” he said, adding that “when we see there is something wrong with the ruling, we will reinstate their name as a candidate.”
He also assured that they will immediately resolve the cases as they committed to decide on all cases before the end of October.
“Our commitment, we must resolve cases before October 30 to provewhether it should be accepted or not. At the same time, if we affirm, if they want, they can file in a higher court,” he said.
“The issue must be resolved before October 30. If it’ss not resolved, their names will not be included, but of course that’s unfair. So it needs to be resolved before October 30,” Garcia added.
Earlier, the Comelec said it will not accept COCs of overaged SK bets and non-resident barangay candidates.
It noted that COCs of youth bets that are over 24 years old and village aspirants not residing in the communities they seek to lead will not be accepted.
The filing period is set from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, 2023.
Under Republic Act 10742, those who are running in the SK polls must be a citizen of the Philippines; a registered SK voter; a resident of the barangay for not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the elections; at least 18 years but not more than 24 years of age on the day of the elections; able to read and write; and must not be related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national official or to any incumbent elected regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official, in the locality where he or she seeks to be elected.
As for barangay candidates, they must be a citizen of the Philippines; a registered voter in the barangay where he intends to be elected; a resident there for at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election; able to read and write; and at least 18 years of age on election day.