Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 28) — The national poll body said it will file on Friday no fewer than 30 disqualification petitions against candidates in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) who have started campaigning before the official period.
This is the first batch of such petitions which the Commission on Elections (Comelec) intends to file in relation to premature campaigning.
Comelec Director Nick Mendros told a media briefing on Thursday that they plan to file cases against several other candidates.
He explained that the delay in the filing of cases against the others is due to certain constraints, such as the rules requiring that the respondent first be furnished with a copy of the petition before it can be lodged.
As of Tuesday, the Comelec reported it has issued over 2,500 show cause orders to candidates who have allegedly committed premature campaigning.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they expect by next month the decisions on the disqualification cases which will be filed on Friday.
“Pwede na kaming magdesisyon sa second week ng October,\” he said. \”Kaya nga ang sabi ko sa inyo, almost sure ako na may desisyon ang Comelec bago ang Oct. 30.\”
