Newsbriefs

Magpale to brgy pols: Am no endorser

CEBU Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale yesterday warned candidates in the barangay polls not to use her as their “endorser.”

She warned candidates not to use their photos taken with her or mention her name in their speeches.

“We might have photos where we get invited to a fiesta then there are photos. I am anticipating that it could happen,” she told reporters yesterday.

“I do not permit them to use that for political purposes,” she added.

The vice governor said the Commission on Elections has imposed strict guidelines especially on the support of incumbent officials to candidates in the barangay elections.

“It’s really strict now especially now that they disqualify. We’re trying as much as possible to follow orders, but sometimes it just cannot be avoided,” she said.

Under the Omnibus Election Code, the barangay polls should be non-partisan, which means candidates who will be running for election on Oct. 28 should neither be supported nor influenced by a political party. /Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

Comelec to brgy execs: P10K or face jail term

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) reiterated yesterday its call to barangay councils to give augmentation funds for the barangay polls on or before October 18.

Barangay councils that fail to provide the funds will be liable for an election offense under Section 51 of the Omnibus Election Code, said Provincial Election Supervisor Ferdinand Gujilde. He said separate administrative and criminal actions can also be filed against local government officials.

The Omnibus Election Code penalizes any person found guilty of any election offense an imprisonment of not less than one year to six years. The penalty is not subject to probation. Last week, the Comelec promulgated Resolution 9739 which required barangays to give P10,000 to the poll body after it received reports from its field offices that only a few have complied with the requirement. “The commission through its field officials shall endeavour to collect the amount required by Resolution 9739 without regards to the SK elections,” the resolution stated.

The Comelec resolution was approved by Comelec Commissioner Sixto Brillantes on Sept. 26. Gujilde earlier said the funds will be used for the training of the Board of Election Tellers (BETs) as well as additional funds for their allowance during the polls. /Correspondent Peter L. Romanillos

7 barangays in police watchlist

SEVEN barangays in Cebu province are being considered for inclusion in the election watchlist areas (Ewas).

Supt. Noel Gillamac, provincial director of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) said that barangay Guadalupe in Carcar City, barangay Cayang in Bogo City, barangay Sumon in Tuburan. and barangays Panadtaran, Bugho, Tungo and Pitalo in San Fernando are being closely monitored for possible escalation of election violence. The final Ewas list will be released on Oct. 10, he added. /Correspondent Christine Emily L. Pantaleon

Consolacion landfill fined P150K

THE private landfill where garbage from Cebu City is dumped has been penalized by the environment department for failure to comply with environment rules.

The Asian Energy Systems Corporation (AEC), operator of the seven-hectare landfill in barangay Polog, Consolacion town in northern Cebu was fined P150,000 for its failure to implement mitigating measures as required in its management plan; failure to secure dis charge permit of effluents in compliance with the Philippine Clean Water Act; failure to submit its semi-annual monitoring report; and failure to the approved agreement for the establishment of the multipartite monitoring team.

“This is part of the process that we are trying to follow, consistent with our existing environmental laws and regulations by allowing the company to explain and ask for a commitment on certain violations so that corrective or preventive measures will be instituted,” said Isabelo R. Montejo, DENR regional executive director in a press statement.

Aside from paying the fine, AEC promised to implement all mitigating measures as stated in the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) such as landfill to be covered with top soil; wastewater treatment facility should be compliant; and approve or sign an MOA for the operationalization of the MMT on or before April 2014.

“We have been regularly conducting a close monitoring on companies with ECCs to check if they have been compliant with some conditions as stipulated,” Montejo added.