No reports of barangay officials participating

in campaigning –Bacolod City Comelec

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III earlier confirmed they had filed charges against 52 barangay captains and officials who allegedly participated in partisan politics, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bacolod City said they have not received any complaints regarding barangay officials involved in campaigning for candidates in next month’s midterm elections.

Comelec-Bacolod City elections supervisor, Atty. Ann Janette Lamban, said the DILG previously issued an order for barangay officials, along with government employees, to refrain from campaigning.

The local Comelec official added, barangay officials should not be vocal nor show sympathy for candidates.

While Densing did not identify anyone from Negros, as most of the officials in question were either from Luzon or Mindanao, a total of 700 reports and complaints have been received by the DILG over alleged violations of the Comelec and Civil Service Commission joint memorandum circular prohibiting civil servants from campaigning for electoral candidates.

The cabinet undersecretary said those found in violation of the memorandum face one to six years in jail.

“When the law is there, everybody should follow,” Densing added. “We have to remove the culture [where] following the law is optional.”/DGB, WDJ

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