Article by:
Jason Neola
NAGA CITY – Thirteen officers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Bicol Region will be transferred temporarily to new posts after the conduct of the filing of certificates of candidacy in October.
Lawyer Maico T. Julia Jr., Election Officer 4 in this city, said in a statement on Wednesday the election officers who would be affected by the reshuffle are heads of Comelec offices in seven cities and six capital towns in the region.
Not yet included are those assigned to the different municipalities in the provinces of Albay, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Masbate, Camarines Sur, and Camarines Norte, he noted.
The Comelec finds the temporary transfer of poll election officers in the best interest of the commission, particularly in furthering efficiency, competence integrity and absolute impartiality within the government agency.
As of June 30, this year, the Comelec here has recorded a voting population of 106,000. Julia said the figure is expected to increase up to 112,000 with the ongoing voter's registration which is set to end on Sept. 30.
Going through with the plan, Julia will be reassigned to Virac, Catanduanes, to be replaced by Lawyer Francis Nieves, the election officer in Daet, Camarines Norte.
Lawyer Maria Juana Valeza, Comelec regional director in Bicol, will be reassigned to Region 4 (Calabarzon or Mimaropa), to be replaced by Lawyer Noli Pipo from Region 1 (Ilocos).
Camarines Sur’s Lawyer Noriel Badiola who will be sent to Masbate will be replaced temporarily by Lawyer Maria Aurea Bo-Bunao from Albay.
During the election period from Jan. 9-June 8, 2022, election officers, along with other concerned government agencies, will impose a gun ban, and use of security personnel as well as the transfer of civil servants and suspension of elected officials, are prohibited.
The campaign period for candidates for president, vice president, senators, and party-list groups will be from Feb. 8-May 7, 2022. For local candidates, their campaign period will be from March 25-May 7, 2022.
Meanwhile, the filing of certificates of candidacy will run for eight days from Oct. 1-8, 2021.
By Oct. 29, the Comelec is expected to start posting the tentative list of candidates on its website and in local offices.
Election Day is set on May 9, 2022. (PNA)
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