MANILA, Philippines — A total of 174 show cause orders against 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) candidates who were reportedly caught prematurely campaigning are already underway, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
As of September 13, Comelec’s data showed that 174 candidates — 69 running for barangay and 105 running for SK positions — are set to receive show cause orders as part of the poll body’s push against premature campaigning.
According to Comelec chairman George Garcia, these candidates will be allowed to answer their call and explain their sides to determine whether or not the poll body would file complaints against them.
“Kahit na ito ay show cause lamang, parang part ng investigation process natin binibigay natin ang lahat na magkaroon ng pagkakataon na sumagot you call that due process ayaw natin na basta tayo mag file ng kaso na hindi naman natin napagaaralan mabuti,” Garcia said in a press conference on Wednesday.
(Even though this is just a show cause order, part of the investigation process is giving the candidates a chance to answer our call and undergo due process. We do not want to immediately file a case without studying it further.)
As early as July, Comelec has been warning BSKE candidates of premature campaigning, which involves hanging posters and handing out flyers ahead of the campaign period on October 19.
Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code says that “it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period.”
The poll body reiterated that premature campaigning would also be treated as an election offense, and a candidate who disregards this would be liable for election code violations.
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