Winning BSKE bets must meet 3 requirements before assuming posts

Meanwhile, Laudiangco reiterated that the proclamation of winning candidates who have pending disqualification cases will be deferred. (Photo: COMELEC/Facebook)

MANILA – Winning candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) need not only have the highest number of votes but have to meet several requirements to be able to assume office, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Monday.

“For all winners, there are three requirements before being seated. First proclamation to be carried out by the Comelec, then Oath of Office and third, assumption to office. After that, one can assume his/her position,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a press briefing.

Meanwhile, Laudiangco reiterated that the proclamation of winning candidates who have pending disqualification cases will be deferred.

“If they get the most votes, the proclamation will be suspended until the Comelec issues an order. This is to ensure that their cases will not be ignored in the event that they are proclaimed even if they are disqualified. This is not a disadvantage but just a process of the law that allows the case to be resolved. If the case is dismissed, the order is lifted. If the case becomes final, he/she will be disqualified even if he/she got the most votes,” hel added.

Based on Comelec data, there are 220 cases filed for illegal campaigning and premature campaigning.

As for vote buying, there are 27 cases that have been filed.

“Disqualification cases can be filed up to before a candidate is proclaimed. But for an election offense case, the Comelec has five years to file a criminal case in the Regional Trial Court,” Laudiangco said.

There are a total of 672,016 village and youth positions up for grabs in Monday’s polls — 42,007 each for village chair and youth chair and 294,007 each for village council members and youth council members.

The same data showed there are 67.8 million registered voters for the village polls while registered youth voters are at 23.2 million.

The voting is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.