BSKE aspiring candidates from Embo barangays file COC in Taguig

Commission on Elections chief George Garcia explains a point during a press briefing in this file photo taken in 2022. — INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Aspiring candidates for the 2023 barangay and sangguniang kabataan elections (BSKE) who reside in the areas once disputed by Makati and Taguig have begun filing their certificates of candidacy (COCs) in the latter city.

According to the Taguig government in a statement, the COC filing went seamlessly despite a high turnout of potential candidates at the Taguig Convention Center.

Citing Commission on Elections chair George Garcia, the Taguig city government said the development signifies that many residents of Embo barangays recognize the Supreme Court decision, which ruled that Taguig has the rightful jurisdiction over Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation.

Embo barangays is the collective term Barangays Pembo, Comembo, Cembo, South Cembo, West Rembo, East Rembo, Pitogo, Rizal, Northside, and Southside, and is situated within the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, along with Bonifacio Global City.

Taguig City Election Officer Edgar Aringay, meanwhile, explained that there will be changes in the precinct numbers for these barangays, but, the voting centers and classrooms where residents used to vote will still be the same.

“The change happened because the voters who were in Makati have the same precinct number as our precincts here in Taguig. So, if it’s a single database or record, we need to change the precinct numbers to avoid the similarity with the precinct numbers here in Taguig,” Aringay said.

The Taguig government said it is conducting a voter education campaign to inform those affected by the changes.

The filing of COCs for the 2023 BSKE began on August 28 and will run until September 2, with the polls itself scheduled on October 30.

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