Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 1) — Three persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) won village council seats in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) held on Oct. 30.
But the Comelec will still discuss with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) how to make this work, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said on Wednesday.
“Ngayon pa lang natin mae-experience kung paano mamamahala ng barangay ang PDLs na outside of their area of jurisdiction at di makatuntong sa kanilang barangay halls,” Laudiangco told reporters.
[Translation: It will be our first time to experience PDLs governing their barangays outside their area of jurisdiction and without stepping into their barangay halls.]
He said among the considerations for possible measures to solve the issue would be how the winning PDL bets can communicate with their constituents and fellow barangay officials as cellphones and other devices are not allowed in jails.
“Sabi ni [Comelec chairperson George Garcia], kung hindi naging imposible ang pagtakbo, hindi naging imposible yong pagkakakuha ng boto, baka hindi naman imposible ang pamamahala ng wala physically sa kani-kanilang barangay,” Laudiango said.
[Translation: Garcia said maybe it would not be impossible for the PDLs not to serve physically in their respective barangays if they already ran as candidates and received votes.]
In a forum also on Wednesday, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said there will be no special treatment for them and that policies in prison must not be sacrificed.
Laudiangco said the Comelec has finished the proclamation of the three PDLs. The inmates have yet to take their oaths and assume office. The third process is on the side of the DILG.
The Comelec said these PDLs ran for village councilors, or barangay kagawad, of Brgy. Datu Esmael in Dasmariñas City, Cavite, Brgy. Kay-Buto in Tanay, Rizal, and Brgy. Iponan in Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.
They are detained at the Dasmariñas City Jail-Male Dormitory, Tanay Municipal Jail, and Cagayan de Oro City Jail-Male Dormitory.
“Just in case, nagkaroon ng final conviction, tingnan natin ano ba ‘yong nakaimpose na penalty,” the Comelec official said. “Meron bang perpetual disqualification to hold public office, meron bang disqualification to hold public office, does the crime involve moral turpitude? Pag ‘yan ang pumasok, these are disqualifications.”
[Translation: Just in case there would be final convictions, let’s check what penalties are imposed. Is there perpetual disqualification to hold public office, disqualification to hold public office, does the crime involve moral turpitude? If yes, these are disqualifications.]
He said once the PDL is disqualified and removed from office, the barangay would then declare a permanent vacancy and the rule of succession will follow based on the Local Government Code.
He added the mayor will appoint the seventh member of the Sangguniang Barangay.
The Supreme Court in 2022 dismissed a petition seeking to stop detainees from registering and voting in the 2016 elections.
It also lifted the partial temporary restraining order issued against the poll body’s resolution regulating the voting of PDLs.
The Comelec said PDLs qualified to vote in the local polls are those who are formally charged and waiting trial while confined in jail, serving prison sentence for less than one year, or those who are convicted for rebellion or sedition.
Eight inmates filed certificates of candidacies for the 2023 BSKE.
Meanwhile, a total of 26,268 out of 29,288 PDLs participated in the village and youth polls, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said Tuesday.
