By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) imposed a gun ban yesterday morning as the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections draw closer, scheduled for October 23.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said the gun ban was imposed as the election period is currently underway.
He said candidates can start filing their certificate of candidacy (COC) between October 5 and 11, while the campaign period runs between October 12 and 21.
According to Jimenez, those caught in violation of the gun ban face up to six years in prison, while violators who work in government could be disqualified from holding public office and lose their right to vote.
Earlier, the Comelec decided to move its election schedule after the House of Representatives and Senate approved a measure suspending the said election until May of next year, along with the holdover of all current barangay officials.
Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano, meanwhile, said the bill has already been forwarded to President Rodrigo Duterte and is currently awaiting his signature./WDJ