MASANTOL -- To ensure that only qualified candidates can join the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here strictly checked on the eligibility of the aspiring leaders.

Masantol Election Officer Hilda Dizon said that each candidate passed through rigorous verification process on their profiles and credentials before they can file their respective certificates of candidacy (COC).

Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10214, all aspiring barangay officials must be legitimate citizen of the country and a resident of the barangay for at least a year.

Candidates must be at least 18 years old on the day of the elections. For SK, candidates should be 18 to 24 years, according to Dizon.

Aside from these, every aspiring candidate must be able to read and write Filipino, English or the local dialect where he wishes to serve.

Dizon said that the “can read, can write” policy is one of the most important requirements set by Comelec.

Aspiring candidates have equal chances of leading and representing their respective villages, she added.

“Itong requirement na ito ay very important dahil kakandidato ka for a government position, at kung manalo ka, mandated leader ka ng barangay mo at ikaw ang magiging representative sa mga official government gatherings. Papaano nalang kung hindi ka marunong magbasa?” she said.

Dizon said that each aspiring candidate is asked to read some Filipino, English or Kapampangan words as well as write at least their names.

“Ang ginagawa namin, pinapabasa namin iyong kahit sa taas lang ng COC or itong mga nakapaskil dito sa opisina para ma-check kung marunong bang magbasa kahit Filipino words lang. Tapos tinitignan namin iyong capability nila na magsulat kapag nagregister na sila sa logbook,” she explained.

But Dizon clarified that they are not allowed to disqualify or reject a candidate. Comelec officers only practice administerial mandate or they merely administers the filing of COCs.

“Wala naman kaming power to disqualify any candidate kasi ang trabaho lang namin ay tanggapin itong mga COCs. Pero with our practice, nacha-challenge namin iyong mga aspiring candidates na mag-aral muna kahit simpleng words bago sila mag-file,” she said.

Dizon said that all credentials and information written on the COCs of candidates are verified personally and under oath and falsification of data may lead to legal charges.

As of Friday noon, Dizon said that all 118 candidates for barangay officials and 92 for SK officials in the town complied with the requirements set by Comelec.