The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is not discounting the possibility of postponing the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls in areas that were gravely affected by super typhoon Juan. The elections are scheduled on October 25. “Expectedly, there were hard-to-reach barangays where landslides might have occured. We expect (postponement) in some places," Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said in an interview on Tuesday. Among the factors considered were:
if certain schools could hold the polls, and whether there was electricity in some villages. "We expect some places let's say a school where the elections will be held (was) destroyed or maybe occupied by refugees," he said. "But more important than this or just as important at least is the fact that there must be power. If there is no power, it might be dangerous for teachers who will be counting ballots at night," he added. Melo said they expect to come up with a final decision on the postponement after they get a detailed briefing from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday. “Tomorrow we will be getting a briefing from the NDRRMC. They’ll give us a lowdown on the places where there may be a possibility of postponement," he said. Section 5 of the Omnibus Election Code says that an election can only be postponed "for any serious cause such as violence, terrorism, loss or destruction of election paraphernalia or records, force majeure, and other analogous causes of such a nature that the holding of a free, orderly and honest election should become impossible in any political subdivision." Candidates warned vs vote-buying Meanwhile a poll official warned barangay and SK candidates to exercise caution when giving out relief goods to typhoon victims because it might be construed as "vote-buying." Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said candidates who give out relief goods with their names on the packages may be disqualified for alleged vote-buying. “Yes that’s enough (to get disqualified)… but he has to be convicted first," he said n an interview with reporters on Tuesday. He likewise said they need witnesses to prove there was a distribution of such relief goods. "We need witnesses. You know those who come up with cases come up with no witnesses. The witnesses withdraw, so we only settle a few cases," he said. Under Article 12, Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), vote buying constitutes the act of giving, offering, or promising money or anything of value, including promises of "employment, franchise or grant, public or private." Vote buying also involves making or offering to incur expenses that will, directly or indirectly, benefit a person, association, corporation, entity, or community “to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party." Under the OEC, vote buying is considered an election offense, which is punishable by one to six years imprisonment, disenfranchisement, and disqualification from holding public office. Comelec Chairman Jose Melo noted, however, that they are not saying that candidates must not distribute relief goods, especially to those areas affected by typhoon Juan. But he said the voter should know when a candidate has an ulterior motive for doing a good deed. "It depends on the person. You should know when a candidate is trying to influence you or (is trying) to buy your vote," he said on Tuesday. The Barangay and SK elections has been set on October 25, Monday. - VVP, GMANews.TV 
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