Egay Uy .
MANY observers say that May 14, 2018 could very well be a preview of the 2019 local polls. Contenders for the mayoralty race next year are now understandably fielding their respective “anointed ones” in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls so that if their bets win, they will have good and effective campaign machineries when the time comes.
To some, the outcome of the barangay and SK elections on Monday could also spell the success or failure of the candidates in the city’s elections next year, logically so because the ground works are usually provided by those in the barangay offices.
But wait! Isn’t barangay governance supposed to be non-partisan?
The term “partisan” is defined either as a noun or an adjective. This word could refer to a strong supporter of a party, a cause, or another person. It is also used to describe one who is prejudiced in favor of a particular cause.
However the word partisan is defined in the law, it must refer to both meanings. Section 38 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that “barangay elections shall be non-partisan.”
It prohibits anybody who files his certificate of candidacy in the barangay elections to represent or allow himself to be represented as a candidate of any political party or other organization.
The Code also prohibits any political party, group, committee, or civic, religious, professional, or other organization or organized group “of whatever nature” from intervening in the nomination or the filing of certificate of candidacy or give aid or support, directly or indirectly, for or against a candidate’s campaign for election.
These prohibitions are however not applicable to members of the family of a candidate within the fourth civil degree (up to first cousins).
These are beautiful provisions in the Omnibus Election Code that may have repeatedly given a headache to the Commission on Elections because these are obviously more honored in their breach.
It is up to us, the voters, therefore to give life to these provisions by campaigning or voting against candidates who openly violate election laws, and those who continue to provide opportunities for the “la-uya” strategy to flourish.
We should not allow ourselves to be governed by people who did not win elections but won in the money contest.
My vote is not for sale!
(Lawyer Egay Uy is with the local price coordinating council and the Regulatory and Complaints Board.)
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