Naga City (September 20) – The Commission on Elections' (Comelec) frequent changing of election-related activities has resulted in confusion among candidates for the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) and barangay elections here.
Republic Act 9164, which calls for the synchronized barangay and SK elections, places the election date on the last Monday of the month of October. However, it does not include any provisions for the period of time for the filing of candidacy or campaigning, stating instead, that the Comelec shall have jurisdiction over the matter.
On August 8, the Comelec issued resolution No. 8264, containing the schedule of activities for the 2007 barangay and SK elections. In the resolution, the filing of the Certificates of Candidacies (COC) was slated on October 11-18. However, less than a month later, on September 6, the Comelec issued resolution No. 8297, rescheduling the filing of COCs on Sept 14-19 in order to give ample time for local Comelec offices to prepare for the national barangay and SK elections.
Exactly a week later on September 13, the Comelec then changed its mind again and made the latest change to the schedule of election activities through resolution No. 8301, amending resolution Nos. 8297 and 8298. In the latest resolution, the final dates for the filing of candidacies are scheduled on September 29 to October 11 while the campaign period from October 19-27 remains unchanged. The barangay and SK election is on October 29.
Allen Reondanga, president of the Sangguniang Kabataan and of the Association of Barangay Chairmen (ABC) here in Naga said that the subsequent changes in the dates sowed confusion among many of the local candidates.
According to Reondanga, the frequent changes has "caused misinformation for candidates" as well as disappointment on their part.
Even so, Reondanga says that the latest rescheduling might be considered as an opportunity for other would-be candidates who have not yet filed their candidacies with the local Comelec.
"Dai preparado an Comelec. Dapat dai ginigibo kan Comelec ta garo pigkakawatan si mga kandidato," Reondanga added. He also said that the repeated changes reflect a lack of preparation and commitment from the Comelec.
Aside from the confusion brought upon by the changing dates, Reodanga says that there were also reports that the local Comelec also lacked essential election paraphernalia, like ballot boxes.
"May posibilidad na magka-igwa nin shortage," the official said, adding that if worse comes to worse, makeshift ballot boxes will have to do for the elections.