A timely warning
UNDER the country’s Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, members of the Barangay Assembly are mandated to meet twice a year to discuss the various concerns and problems of the community.
The assembly, which is composed of all persons, 15 years of age or over, who are actual residents of the village for at least six months, also serves as a venue to promote transparency and accountability.
Mandated to attend the assembly are the Punong Barangay, councilmen and other village officials, including the Barangay Treasurer and Barangay Secretary.
Also expected to grace the whole day gathering of barangay officials are municipal government and police authorities, who are supposed to answer questions from the residents.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government has set the assembly days for the second semester of 2023 on any Saturday or Sunday this October, the second “ber ” month of the year.
But since the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) are set to be held on October 30, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has warned candidates not to use the event for partisan political activities.
In fact, the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), a poll watchdog, said using the community assembly to campaign is punishable under the country’s laws.
Violators face administrative and criminal charges for violating the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
Thus, incumbent village officials would do well to heed the appeal of the poll body and Namfrel not to use the Barangay Assembly for partisan political activities.
At kung kayo’y mga kandidato sa darating na BSK elections sa Oktubre 30 (Monday), baka ma-disqualify pa kayo.
