MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) announced that a gun ban will take effect starting September 23, ahead of the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections on October 23.

The gun ban will last until October 30, the last day of the election period. (READ: Calendar of activities for October 2017 barangay, SK elections)

Comelec Resolution No. 10197, promulgated on Thursday, September 14, prohibits any person from bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or deadly weapons “outside his residence or place of business, and in all public places, including any building, street, park, and in private vehicles or public conveyances, even if he is licensed or authorized to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Commission.”

Candidates are also not allowed to employ or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards whether or not such personnel “are regular members or officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), other law enforcement agency of the government, or from a private security service provider,” unless the Comelec authorizes them.

On September 21, the Comelec’s Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) will begin accepting applications for gun ban exemptions.

The status of this year’s barangay elections, however, is still up in the air. The House of Representatives on Monday, September 11, passed a measure on 3rd reading to postpone the polls, but the Senate has yet to pass a counterpart bill. 

They will also need to agree when to move the elections. The House postponed it to May 2018, but the Senate is eyeing to have it in October 2018 instead. (READ: Sotto, Gordon report allows Duterte to appoint barangay OICs)

The Comelec already postponed the barangay and SK polls in Mindanao, due to martial law still in effect there, and the ongoing clashes between terrorists and government forces in Marawi City. 

Filing of certificates of candidacy

While it awaits Congress’ decision on poll postponement, the Comelec proceeded with its calendar of activities. It scheduled the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) of barangay and SK bets from September 23 to September 30, including weekends, from 8 am to 5 pm.

The COCs must be filed in 3 legible copies with the Office of the Election Officer of the city, municipality, or district having jurisdiction over the barangay where the aspirant seeks to be elected, said the poll body in Resolution No. 10196, promulgated on Wednesday, September 13.

COC forms are available in local Comelec offices and on the Comelec website. 

Voters will choose one barangay captain and 7 Sangguniang Barangay members. As for the SK or youth council, one chairperson and 7 Sangguniang Kabataan members will be elected.

All candidates for barangay positions should be:

• a citizen of the Philippines
• a registered voter in the barangay where he or she intends to be elected
• a resident of the barangay for at least a year immediately preceding election day
• able to read and write Filipino or any other local language or dialect
• at least 18 years old on election day

As for SK candidates, he or she should be:

• a citizen of the Philippines
• a qualified voter of the Katipunan ng Kabataan
• a resident of the barangay for at least a year immediately preceding election day
• at least 18 years old but not more than 24 years old on election day
• able to read and write Filipino, English, or the local dialect
• must not be related within the 2nd civil degree of consanguinity or affinity to any incumbent elected national, regional, provincial, city, municipal, or barangay official in the locality where he/she seeks to be elected
• must not have been convicted by final judgment of any crime involving moral turpitude 

Bets who are incumbent appointive officials “shall be considered ipso facto resigned and must vacate the office at the start of the day of the filing of a COC,” said the Comelec. However, incumbent elected officials “shall not be considered resigned” upon filing a COC for the barangay and SK polls.

The campaign period will be from October 13 to 21. – Rappler.com