Comelec disqualifies 3 BSKE bets

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has canceled the certificates of candidacy (COCs) of two candidates running for Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairman, and disqualified another running for village captain.

The Comelec Second Division has canceled the COCs of Merson C. Calubag, candidate for SK chairman in Barangay Magtangale, San Francisco, Surigao del Norte; and Ivy Jane Parohinog Miranda who is seeking the top SK post in Barangay Malag-it, Calinog, Iloilo.

Comelec Spokesperson Rex Laudiangco said the COC of Calubag was canceled after the poll regulator found that he is the son of a Sangguniang Barangay member in the same barangay.

“Merson C. Calubag’s declarations in his COC that he is not related within the 2nd civil degree of consanguinity to an incumbent elected official in the locality where he seeks to be elected, and that he is eligible for the office to which he seeks to be elected, are material because they ‘pertain to his qualifications’ and these material declarations are false since ‘[his] mother .. is an incumbent Barangay Kagawad’ in the same locality,” Laudiangco said.

The COC of Miranda was canceled after the Second Division found that she committed material misrepresentation in her COC when she declared that she did not have any relative within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity who is currently an incumbent elected official in the locality where she seeks to be elected.

The Comelec said Miranda’s father, June Miranda is still deemed an incumbent elective local official of the same barangay when she filed her COC.

The Comelec disqualified Aniano Pancho Capinig as a candidate for the position of Punong Barangay of Cabas-an, Aroroy, Masbate due to a previous illegal firearms conviction.

The poll regulator also added that under Section 12 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), “any person who … has been sentenced by final judgment … for any offense for which he has been sentenced to a penalty of more than eighteen months… shall be disqualified to be a candidate and to hold any office.”

The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) is scheduled this October 30.