CEBU, Philippines–(UPDATED11:35 A.M. Wednesday, Nov. 1.) Live updates for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections held on October 30, 2023, in the Philippines.
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LIST: Barangay and SK Election winners in Pinamungajan
Check out the winners of the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in Pinamungajan town in southwestern Cebu.
In Negros Occidental, 82 ties in Barangay, SK polls set to be broken
A total of 82 ties were recorded in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections in Negros Occidental that need to be resolved.
Provincial election supervisor Ian Lee Ananoria said a majority of the ties involved village and SK council candidates who had the same number of votes for the seventh place in the local councils.
“The ties need to be broken,” he said Tuesday.
Comelec reminds Barangay, SK candidates of their SOCE
The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) is urging the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates to file their statement of contribution and expenditures (SOCE) as soon as possible.
Comelec-7 Director Lionel Marco Castillano said on Tuesday that the winning candidates of the BSKE could not assume office unless they had filed their SOCE.
Comelec reiterates: Voting schedule is based on the law
The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) has clarified on Tuesday, October 31, that the schedule of voting for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections is fixed since 1985.
“It is 7 to 3 [p.m.]. Wa gyud na mautro since 1985,” said Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano, Comelec-7 director.
(It is 7 [a.m.] to 3 [p.m.]. That has not changed since 1985.)
The Article 17 Section 190 of Batas Pambansa No. 881 or the Omnibus Election Code of the Philippines says, “The casting of votes shall start at seven o’clock in the morning and shall end at three o’clock in the afternoon, except when there are voters present within thirty meters in front of the polling place who have not yet cast their votes.”
Moreover, in that case, it added that the poll clerk will prepare a complete list that contains the names of those voters, consecutively numbered.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE. Here’s the message of President Ferdinand “Bongbong Marcos Jr. to the winners of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.
New barangay captains in Consolacion
Comelec-7 to winning candidates: Be humble, be efficient
The Commission on Election in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) has this advice to the winning candidates of this year’s elections: Be humble, be efficient.
“I would like to remind all [the winning candidates] to be humble in caring for each other offices and be as efficient as you can be,” said Ivan Delos Santos, Comelec-7 Administrative Officer.
In a phone interview with CDN Digital, Delos Santos extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the candidates who emerged triumphant in the elections.
Delos Santos acknowledged the hard-fought campaigns and dedicated efforts of these candidates, emphasizing the significance of their achievement in securing the trust and votes of their constituents.
“I wish them well, and I hope they will mark a new change in their respective barangays,” Delos Santos said.
How was pilot testing of mall voting?
As far as officials in Central Visayas are concerned, the region is ready to host more malls as voting centers in the future.
The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) is optimistic that they can expand the mall voting here following positive feedback from voters who joined its pilot implementation in two malls during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
“As to our mall voting, we have talked with our election officers there and they were generally peaceful and efficient,” said Ivan Delos Santos.
LIVE UPDATES: 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections
Mandaue City winners
Cebu City winners
3 killed in Basilan on election day
Three persons were killed in separate incidents in Basilan during the conduct of the Barangay and SK elections.
Col. Fredrick Sales, deputy commander of the Army’s 101st Infantry Brigade, confirmed two bloody incidents but clarified that “we cannot directly attribute it as election-related violence as of now due to ongoing investigation.”
Nasri Uddin was killed in a shooting inside a precinct at Badja Elementary School, Tipo-Tipo town. Another voter was critically wounded in the attack.
In Luksumbang village, Lamitan City, two persons were killed while another was wounded.
Lt. Col. Cyril Santander identified the fatalities as Antataha Nadjuwal, a reelectionist “kagawad” and his security escort, a CAFGU member identified as Euiliano Costodio Enrique.
Proposal to extend term for barangay officials resurfaces
Sen. Imee Marcos on Monday renewed her call for longer terms for barangay officials.
“Dapat habaan na yung termino ng ating mga barangay officials, kasi wala na kaming ginawa sa Senate, sa Congress kung hindi i-extend nang i-extend [ang kanilang termino],” Marcos told reporters after casting her vote for the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections at Cabeza Elementary School in this city.
Earlier, Sen. Marcos proposed that the terms of barangay officials be extended to six instead of three years, fixing their elections every May of the year following the presidential elections.
In calling for a longer term, Marcos said that village officials had experienced an increase in their workload, especially after bearing the brunt of the government response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Except for pre-election harassments, lack of accessibility, BSKE in Cebu smooth
Save for the harassment reported in two southern towns, and the lack of accessibility support for seniors and persons with disabilities (PWDs), the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Cebu went orderly and peacefully.
Officials from the police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) said the conduct of the BSKE this year was ‘generally peaceful.’Ivan Delos Santos, administrative officer of Comelec-7, said they recorded no untoward incidents as voters cast their ballots on Monday, October 30.
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Police: Barangay and SK elections 2023 ‘peaceful and orderly’
The conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections 2023 saw no major problems.
This means that the situation on Monday, October 30, 2023, has been generally ‘peaceful and orderly,’ according to authorities.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Police Regional Office Central Visayas, spoke to reporters during a post-election media briefing at the PRO-7.
According to Pelare, they have not recorded any untoward incidents that happened while residents cast their votes.
“As far as security is concerned, we would like to happily report that there are no major security challenges recorded all throughout Central Visayas sa panahon sa pag-vote (since the time of voting) until now,” he said.
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More enforcers deployed to Argao, Dumanjug towns following harassment reports
There will be an augmentation of law enforcers in the towns of Argao and Dumanjug after reports of candidates and voters being harassed and intimidated days before the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election took place.
The Commission on Elections in Cebu province (Comelec-Cebu) has recommended the deployment of quick response teams (QRTs) of the police from nearby localities to Argao and Dumanjug.
The police, in turn, will be tasked to monitor the situation there.
Investigations are now ongoing to determine the identities of the individuals accused of harassing several supporters and voters in Argao and Dumanjug towns over the weekend.
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Comelec-7 eyes improvements in the next Barangay, SK elections
Among the concerns raised by some voters for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections in Cebu City on October 30 was the availability of a separate voting place for senior citizens.
But the Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) said they would be willing to improve this aspect in the next Barangay and SK Elections
“I do hope that we’ll have a more available spaces for the next election so that we can also cater these PWDs (persons with disability), senior citizens, and pregnant women so that we can assist them very well during the election,” Ivan Jason Delos Santos said, the administration officer of Comelec-7.
Moreover, Delos Santos said during a press conference at the Police Regional Office 7 (PRO-7) at 5 p.m. on Monday, that they would look for improvements in the assignments of the rooms for the PWDs whose polling places were located on the 2nd floor.
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Brownout in Cebu south did not affect Barangay, SK Election proceedings, Comelec says
The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) assured the public that the power outage experienced in several towns in southern Cebu did not severely impact the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday, October 30.
The brownout lasted close to two hours and affected at least nine localities, said Comelec-7 Administrative Officer Ivan Delos Santos.
Power went out in the towns of Moalboal, Ginatilan, Alcantara, Alegria, Ronda, Dumanjug, Barili, and Badian at 1:45 p.m on Monday while voting was ongoing in these areas.
Electricity went back at 3:37 p.m., or nearly two hours since it got interrupted.
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Netizens acknowledge changes of the Barangay and SK Election 2023
As Cebuano netizens participate in this year’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday, October 30, 2023, netizens have taken to their keyboards once more to voice their observations and reflections. This time, their digital discussions revolve around the recently concluded BSKE 2023.
Surprisingly, the dominant sentiment among netizens leans toward recognition and appreciation for the “smooth” execution of this election, especially in comparison to the previous national elections.
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Consolacion residents want voting transferred to malls in succeeding elections
Ledelina Candido, 56, said she enjoyed her mall voting experience on Monday, October 30.
She said SM Mall in Consolacion town, where the voting was held, was very spacious and fully air conditioned.
Chairs were also provided for her and the other voters to sit on while they wait for their turn to cast their votes.
Candido said that the casting of votes was also very fast and orderly. And the best part was that the mall was within walking distance from her home.
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Two voters killed in Maguindanao del Norte shooting on election day
Two voters were killed while three others were wounded in a Maguindanao del Norte shooting on Monday morning, police said.
Brigadier General Allan Nobleza, regional director of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s police office, said the shooting occurred in Datu Sinsuat town’s Barangay Bugawas at around 6:00 a.m.
“May isa lang hong insidente kaninang umaga, six o’clock in the morning, the shooting incident in Barangay Bugawas, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte wherein two victims, dalawang biktima ang namatay at tatlo ‘yung wounded,” Nobleza said over radio dwPM.
(The lone shooting at six o’clock in the morning in Barangay Bugawas, Datu Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte left two dead and three wounded.)
Asked if the incident is related to the ongoing Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election or BSKE, Nobleza said: “Opo sir, kasi po boboto ‘yung mga victims na ito nang mangyari ang pamamaril.”
(Yes, sir, because these victims were going to vote when the shooting happened.)
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14 ‘vote-buying’ incidents recorded in Central Visayas – Comelec
At least 14 suspected vote-buying incidents were reported in Central Visayas prior to the conduct of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Monday.
Of these, nine were recorded by the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) while five reached the attention of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Attorney Lionel Marco Castillano, the Comelec-7 director, said that of the five incidents that were recorded by their office, three allegedly happened in Bohol while two others were said to have happened in Cebu.
None were reported in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.
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Mandaue Mayor Cortes on Barangay, SK elections: Share your dreams, help make city prosper
Two top Mandaue officials agree that Mandaue is for all Mandauehanons and for everyone to share their dreams and help make the city prosper.
These are the hopes of allies Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes and Congresswoman Emmarie “Lolypop” Ouano-Dizon as Mandauehanons cast their votes for the Barangay and Sangguniang Elections today.
Both officials, who are allies support separate candidates, for this election.
“After this, rest assured wala ra na sa ako, ilaha nang choices, unta wala tay political color mas nindot, after all we are all Mandauehanons, Para nako, ang Mandaue dili ako, dili kang congresswoman kundi atoa ni’ng tanan. So let us share our dreams…to make Mandaue resilient and prosperous,” said Cortes.
(After this, rest assured this is nothing to me, those are their choices, I hope there will be no political color and that will be better, after all we are Mandauehanons. For me, Mandaue is not me, it is not congresswoman’s but for all of us. So let us share our dreams … to make Mandaue resilient and prosperous.)
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Cebu towns experience brownout on Barangay and SK election
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Several towns in southern Cebu reportedly experienced brownout shortly after polling places there closed for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on Monday afternoon, October 30.
The Commission on Elections in Cebu province (Comelec-Cebu) received reports from at least localities in the south that power went down in their area.
Most of these towns came from Cebu’s seventh district, Comelec-Cebu added.
The power interruption reportedly happened a few minutes after 3 p.m., as voting precincts prepare to manually count and canvass the ballots submitted.
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First-time voters in Bohol share their Barangay, SK election experiences
The Barangay and Sangguniang Elections is now at full throttle, bringing together all Boholanos for one common mission: to vote for those who truly deserve the position.
Despite having little to no knowledge of the election process or physical incapabilities, some Boholanos exhibited unwavering determination as they turned up to exercise their voting rights on Monday, October 30, at Tagbilaran City Central Elementary School.
Hans and Eysa, who were both 20 years old and first-time voters, expressed how they were “overwhelmed” after casting their votes for the first time.
“Naexcite mi kay as first-time voters nakavote na gyud mi, nakapili na gyud mi,” they said in an interview with CDN Digital.
(We are excited because we are really first time voters now, we have really voted.)
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Senior citizens, PWDs hit ‘lack’ of accessibility support staff in precincts
Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) who flocked to the Cebu City Central Elementary School to cast their votes decry the apparent lack of “accessibility support staff” who would guide and help them in casting their ballots.
While regular voters found Monday’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections a lot easier, senior citizens and PWDs like Robin Vaño Jr., a retired firefighter, find the process tedious and exhausting.
Several senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Cebu City Central Elementary School, particularly those who voted in precincts all by themselves, complained of waiting for several hours before they could vote.
Comelec-7 asks more cops to be deployed in four barangays
The Commission on Elections in Central Visayas (Comelec-7) ordered the deployment of more cops in four barangays where some candidates are facing disqualification cases during the proclamation of winners.
Lawyer Lionel Marco Castillano said the need to have more policemen in polling centers in four barangays is necessary to prevent any disorder that might arise from supporters of candidates, who cannot be proclaimed due to pending disqualification cases at the Comelec.
The four are Barangay Buanoy in Balamban town, west Cebu; barangay Valladolid in Carcar City, south Cebu: barangay Maguikay, Mandaue City; and barangay Cancawas in San Jose, Negros Oriental.
Rama suggests separate voting place for seniors
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama hopes to have a separate voting place for senior citizens.
This was one of his sentiments after he voted during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections on Monday, October 30, at the Guadalupe Elementary School in Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City.
Rama arrived at the elementary school around 10 a.m. on Monday and proceeded to his polling precinct located on the 4th floor of one of the buildings inside the school.
“Tu-a naman kos’ babaw nuon. (I was assigned to the top floors.) I’m already a senior citizen,” Rama said.
Rama said “sensitivity is very important.”
Liquor ban violators
Mayor Rama on voting for seniors
PRO-7 presscon on BSKE 2023
Mayor Rama votes
At 10:27 a.m. on Monday, October 30, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama casts his vote for the Barangay and SK Elections at the Guadalupe Elementary School in Cebu City.
Cebu City Mayor Rama arrives at voting center
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama arrives at the Guadalupe Elementary School around 10 a.m. on Monday, October 30, to cast his vote for the Barangay and SK Elections
Trash during BSKE
Trash, mostly discarded campaign fliers, found outside Cebu City Central Elementary School, one of the city’s largest voting centers, during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections on Monday, October 30.
Inaugural mall voting starts in Cebu
The first-ever mall voting started during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections 2023 on Monday, October 30, 2023.
Pilot testing for mall voting was held at SM City Consolacion in Consolacion town, Cebu, and at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu in Cebu City.
WATCH: Situation at Basak, Lapu-Lapu City
Here’s the situation at STEC Elementary School in Barangay Basak Lapu-Lapu City, as voters arrive for the Barangay and SK elections | via Futch Anthony Inso
LOOK: Voters line up at Guadalupe Elementary School
As of 9:30 a.m., voters can be seen lining up before a tarp to check their assigned precinct numbers. | via Niña Mae Oliverio
LOOK: BSKE at Tagbilaran City Elementary School
Here are some scenes from the Tagbilaran City Elementary School, which holds precincts for two large barangays in Bohol’s provincial capital, as of 9:15 a.m. | via Pia Piquero
BFP personnel assist voters in Mandaue poll center
Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) personnel in Mandaue City have already provided assistance to at least four individuals who were having difficulties in reaching their assigned precincts at the Mandaue City Central School, three hours since the voting precincts opened at 7 a.m. on Monday, October 30, 2023.
According to Fire Officer 3 Charles Rogel Mutia, assistance was extended to senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWD).
Barangay and SK elections: How is manual voting done?
Voting in a manual election is a bit different from the automated election that we have gotten used to.
But the process is somewhat similar.
This year’s Barangay and SK elections is done manually. Click the link above to know the difference between manual and automated.
Voting starts
Voting for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabantaan Elections started at around 7:30 a.m. at the Mandaue City Central School in Mandaue City on Monday, October 30.
Pagasa: Cloudy skies, rain showers expected on election day
Rain showers are expected in eastern Luzon while cloudy skies will prevail in Metro Manila and the rest of the country during the Barangay and SK elections
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Sunday afternoon update, ,said the shear line and northeast monsoon will particularly bring rain to Batanes and the Bicol region in the next 12 hours.
Dos and Don’ts on election day
The Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Elections will finally be held today. For new voters, it is important to know what they are allowed and not allowed to do on election day.
Here are some reminders for election day:
Dos:
* Know your precinct number and voting center
* Make a list or “kodigo” of candidates you will vote for to avoid erasures.
* Dispose of your “kodigo” properly after voting.
* Use a ballot secrecy folder when voting
* Make sure to clearly write the candidate’s name as it appears on the official list.
* After voting, fold the ballot as you received it and return it to the Electoral Board.
READ MORE: How to find your precinct number for Barangay, SK elections
Don’ts:
* Do not take pictures of your accomplished ballot.
* Do not show the contents of the accomplished ballot to anyone except to an assistor.
* Do not erase any imprint on the ballot.
* Do not draw or make any unnecessary marks on the ballot.
* Do not tear away or destroy ballot.
* Do not remove the detachable ballot coupon or stub.
LIST: Barangay and SK election-related prohibitions
The public is advised to observe several election-related prohibitions in line with the Barangay and SK elections.
More than 3.3 million voters from Cebu are expected to troop to voting centers this Monday, October 30 for the BSKE, which is declared a non-working day to give way for Filipinos to exercise their rights to vote.
Steps to voting
Here is a step-by-step voting process for the Barangay and SK elections as per Comelec:
Step 1: Find precinct number
Step 2: Get your ballot
Step 3: Sign the Election Day Computerized Voters List (EDCVL).
Step 4: Fill up the ballot
Step 5: Return ballot
Step 6: Place a thumbmark
Step 7: Have your right forefinger nail stained with indelible ink.
Step 8: Observe EB
How to find your precinct online
As of October 24, voters can now search for their precinct, or where to vote, for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) online.
Six days before the barangay and youth polls will take place, the Commission on Election (Comelec) reactivated its online precinct finder.
The site allows Philippine voters from all over the world to access their voter information. These included their status – whether active or deactivated, the name of their voting center and the precinct number.