Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 19) — More than 1.4 million candidates for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023 will begin their 10-day campaign starting Thursday.
During the campaign period, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said posters, billboards, or tarpaulins not exceeding two by three feet are allowed in common poster areas.
Campaign materials are also allowed in private places as long as they follow the specified size.
“Kung kinakailangan namin mag araw-araw ng ‘operation baklas’ gagawin namin [If we need to do an ‘operation baklas’ every day, we will do it],” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said.
But the distribution of shirts, ballers, and other items of value is strictly prohibited.
“Bawal po tayong magpakain before, during, or even after the conduct of a meeting, or a rally. Huwag na po nating sanayin na pinapakain natin dahil po vote buying po ‘yan,” Garcia added.
[Translation: Do not give food before, during, or even after the conduct of a meeting, or a rally. Let’s not practice that kind of behavior because that’s vote buying.]
Candidates can only spend ₱5 per registered voter in their barangay. Any donation received must be declared in their statement of contributions and expenditures.
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, meanwhile, reminded financial institutions on possible indications of digital vote buying schemes:
1. Concentration and/or significant number of account registrations in the area or locality where vote-buying/selling is rampant;
2. Large cash transactions during the election period;
3. Unusual transaction flows between accounts;
4. Unusual volume and/or value in cash in/cash out channels.
Comelec also said the Department of the Interior and Local Government may go after mayors and other local officials who will raise the hands of their bets.
It added that they can face violations of the code of conduct and ethical standards for public employees and anti-graft and corrupt practices if involved in vote buying.
The BSKE campaign period will run until Oct. 28 — two days before election day.
Earlier this month, Comelec said it may file up to 1,000 disqualification cases ahead of the polls.
Garcia told CNN Philippines’ The Source that a task force has already filed 35 disqualification cases over alleged premature campaigning.
READ: Comelec: Up to 1,000 disqualification cases may be filed before BSKE
CNN Philippines correspondent Paige Javier contributed to this report.
