Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 2) — More candidates who have pending disqualification cases were declared winners in the recent Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Thursday.
“92 na po ngayon per latest verification (There are already 92 per latest verification),” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told CNN Philippines.
According to Comelec’s tally, they are among the 253 candidates with orders to suspend proclamation in case they win in the village-level polls.
In total, the poll body has over 400 pending disqualification cases. The cases stemmed from premature campaigning, vote buying, and illegal campaigning.
Garcia said they hope to resolve 253 cases within the three-week transition period set by the interior department for new barangay and SK officials.
The Comelec chairman said this period is already enough to complete the turnover. He also advised newly elected officials to use the three weeks to enroll in short courses for leadership training.
After a number of delays, the BSKE pushed through on Oct. 30.
Except for the winners with pending cases, the poll body said it has completed the canvassing of votes and proclamation of new leaders.
