Reshuffling of election officers starts on Wednesday

Lawyer Marchel Sarno, election officer of the Cebu City North District, said that he is now preparing to temporarily vacate his post. /Delta Dyrecka Letigio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) officers in Cebu City are now on the final stages of their preparations for the May 13 election.

Speaking for himself, lawyer Marchel Sarno, Cebu City North District election officer, said that he wanted his preparations in place before the reshuffling of election officers starts on Wednesday, March 27, or two days before the official start of the campaign period for local candidates on March 29.

Sarno said that he will be reassigned to head the south district election office that is located next door while now south district election officer, Lawyer Edwin Cadungog, will be reassigned to the neighboring city of Mandaue.

Lawyer Anna Fleur Gujilde, who is currently the  Mandaue City election officer, will take Sarno’s place at the Cebu City North District office.

Sarno, Cadungog, and Gujilde are among the 50 election officers in Cebu who will be affected by the Comelec reshuffling that will take effect starting on Wednesday as part of the agency’s effort to ensure the conduct of a clean and honest May 13 election.

The newly appointed election officers will be tasked to ensure the implementation of Oplan Baklas that will be simultaneously done in the country.

Sarno said that their head office is yet to announce the official start of their Oplan Baklas or the removal of campaign posters that will violate the Comelec approved standard size 2 feet by 3 feet. They will also have to take down posters that are found outside of the designated poster areas and those that are placed on trees and lampposts.

“Magdungan gyod tanan nationwide ani so mag expect ta nga massive ang movement sa atong Oplan Baklas,” said Sarno. /dcb