Local execs told to stay neutral

THE local government office has reminded elected officials in Eastern Visayas to be non-partisan and ensure that the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will be peaceful, orderly and honest.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Director Francisco Jose said they have enjoined mayors, vice mayors, and councilors against using their party machineries to support candidates in the barangay elections.

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Jose stressed that the October 25 political exercise is a “non-partisan activity”. No political party, political coalition or similar organizations should intervene, participate or represent any candidate in this election, he said.

“As explained by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), local officials can do so in their personal capacities,” Jose said.

“What city and town officials can do is to help make sure that the exercise will go on smoothly and in accordance with laws,” the official stressed.

The campaign period for the barangay and SK polls, meanwhile, will start October 14 and will run until October 23.

According to the Comelec, voting on election day will be from 7 a.m. to 3 p. m.
Counting and canvassing of votes and the proclamation of winning candidates will start immediately after the casting of votes.

The DILG had earlier disqualified over 400 village officials in the region from running in the October 25 elections for exceeding their term limits. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)