For the Commission on Elections 11 (Comelec 11) the recent conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls (BSKE) 2023 in Davao Region was successful with no adverse incidents reported.
Lawyer Gay Enumerables, officer-in-charge of Comelec 11, told Edge Davao that although they still haven’t received the voter’s turnout, overall, the holding of the BSKE was peaceful.
“Wala pa nako nakita ang voters turnout report. But from the overall, walay samok baya ang BSKE. We were able to proclaim the winners immediately. I guess from the Comelec’s point of view, it was successful,” Enumerables said in a text message.
There were big winners and just like past local elections, there were the so-called upsets and big losers as well.
Among newly-elected barangay captains is Omar Duterte for Barangay Buhangin. Omar is the eldest son of Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and grandson of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
There are also popular names in local political arena who lost their reelection bids as barangay captains.
Edgar Ibuyan Sr., who served as Barangay Captain of Brgy. 5-A (Bankerohan) for more than 20 years, failed to maintain his post; Doce Apostol, brother of Councilor Dante Apostol, who also served as a chieftain in Barangay Panacan was defeated; Ursie Ungab, brother of Davao City’s Third District Representative Isidro Ungab, also lost his reelection bid in Barangay Calinan; and Ralph Abella, husband of Councilor Marissa Abella, who also served as barangay captain in Vicente Hizon Sr. failed to reclaim the post.
On election day, Abella claimed to have received a death threat after a parcel with roses and a message to his wife cautioning him to give up his reelection bid was allegedly sent to his residence at Nova Tierra in Davao City.
Comelec central office has announced it is targeting to proclaim all newly elected officials by Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued guidance on the assumption of office of the BSK officials elected on October 30, 2023, and other relevant directives.
Among the guidelines include that the newly-elected barangay officials must comply with the requirement under Section 14 of the Republic Act No. 7166 to file in duplicate with the Comelec the full, true, and itemized statement of all contributions and expenditures (SOCE) within 30 days after the day of the election; and coordinate with the outgoing Punong Barangay to get the schedule of the turnover ceremony.
For SK officials, they must comply with the same abovementioned requirement of the barangay officials and also attend the mandatory training and obtain a copy of the Certificate of Completion of the mandatory training.
Section 31 of the Revised Rules and Regulations implementing RA No. 10742 as amended by RA No. 11768 mandates that “any SK official, whether elected or appointed or any member of the LYDC must undergo the mandatory training programs before she/he can assume office.
It also stated that with the foregoing, there shall be a transition period not to exceed three weeks to ensure a proper and smooth transition of governance, accountabilities, and actual turnover of Barangay and SK PFRDs and Money Accountabilities and to secure/comply with the bonding requirements and other requisites under the existing laws, rules, and regulations.
