Ensure credible, safe BSKE, Comelec told
SENATOR Imee Marcos, chairperson of the Committee on Electoral Reforms and People’s Participation, presided over the public inquiry Monday, February 20, 2023, on the status of preparations for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in October this year.
The hearing also tackled the alternative modes of voting for highly vulnerable sectors, another concern of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), such as the lack of technical manpower and field officers in the provinces.
Marcos also asked if the ambush of a municipal election officer in Maguindanao before Valentine’s day was related to the upcoming elections.
For his part, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri also condemned the recent assassination attempt against Lanao del Sur Gov. Mamintal Bombit Adiong Jr. and the assassination of Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda which resulted in the horrible murder of Alameda, together with his five aides and four of Gov. Adiong’s driver and security detail.
Zubiri said it is important to ensure that the upcoming election will be properly monitored by both the Comelec as well as the Philippine National Police (PNP).
“This is slap in the face of our law enforcement instrumentalities. The Philippine National Police should spare no effort in hunting down the perpetrators and masterminds and immediately bring them to justice. Kailangan ipakita ng pulisya na kaya nilang panatilihinn and kaayusan sa ating bansa,” the Senate chief said.
Sen. Raffy Tulfo called on the Comelec to ensure “smooth and honest” elections come October 30.
Tulfo said he looks forward to the holding of the Barangay and SK elections, which had been deferred four times since 2016.
He also pushed for the automation of the polls in the majority of barangays in the country for accurate and credible results.
“It is my earnest hope that the Commission on Elections, the primary guardian of our ballots, will be able to carry out its constitutional mandate smoothly and efficiently,” Tulfo said.
