Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 18) — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) confirmed at least 122 candidates in the province of Abra have backed out from the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
Comelec Chairman George Garcia said they have tasked the regional director and provincial election supervisor to look into the reason behind the move.
“Talagang umaayaw. Kung tinatakot o hindi, wala po kasing ebidensya so far. And therefore, nakikipag-coordinate tayo sa DILG at saka sa Philippine National Police,” he told reporters on Wednesday.[Translation: They’re backing out. There is no evidence of them being threatened. And therefore, we will coordinate with the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) and the Philippine National Police.]Fourteen barangays in Abra are under the yellow category for areas of concern.The poll body chief also clarified reports that there are teachers in Abra who will not serve during the elections. Comelec taps teachers to serve as electoral board members during the local and national polls.“Yung mga teachers talaga, ang pag-atras po kasi ay dahil sila ay related doon sa mismong mga kandidato sa mismong barangay,” Garcia explained. “And therefore wala naman po yung sinasabing threat o violence against their person.” [Translation: The teachers are backing out because they are related to the candidates in the barangay. And therefore, there is no threat or violence against their person.]Comelec Abra completed the training on Tuesday for 94 PNP personnel who will serve as special electoral boards for the barangay and SK polls.Of this number, 55 individuals were appointed to special electoral boards in the municipalities of Bangued, Bucay, Lagangilang, Lagayan, and Pilar.
