Comelec clarifies issue on Barangay, SK candidates holding appointive or elective positions

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA Samar)
September 13, 2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte  –  The Commission on Elections shed light on the issue of Barangay or Sangguniang Kabataan candidates who are holding appointive or elective positions.

Appointive barangay officials like the barangay treasurer and the barangay secretary, shall be considered automatically resigned upon the filing of a certificate of candidacy for a Barangay or Sangguniang Kabataan office.

The same ruling applies to city or municipal, provincial, regional, or national officials or employees, or those in the civil or military service, including those in government owned and controlled corporations, who decide to file their certificates of candidacy for a Barangay or Sangguniang  Kabataan  position.

This ruling is provided in Section 4 of Comelec Resolution 8297 promulgated to set up the guidelines on the filing of certificates of candidacy in connection with the October 29, 2007 synchronized Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

In the case of elective officials running for any barangay elective position, they shall not be considered resigned upon the filing of their certificates of candidacy.

A barangay kagawad, as an example, who decides to file his certificate of candidacy for the position of Punong Barangay shall not be considered resigned upon filing his certificate of candidacy.

Furthermore, the candidate shall file the certificate of candidacy personally or by his duly authorized representative. No certificate of candidacy shall be filed or accepted by mail, telegram or facsimile.

Any person who intends to run for any barangay or SK position shall file a sworn certificate of candidacy in triplicate in the form which may be obtained from the municipal or city Election Officer, free of charge.