COMELEC Resolution No. 10248

Promulgation: 15 January 2018

USE OF PRIOR PRINTED OFFICIAL BALLOTS, ACCOUNTABLE AND NON-ACCOUNTABLE FORMS DATED OCTOBER 23, 2017 FOR PURPOSES OF THE MAY 14, 2018 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS (BSKE)

WHEREAS, as early as the last quarter of calendar year 2016, the Commission on Elections (Commission) has started its preparations in connection with the October 23, 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE). For the printing, verification, and packing and shipping of Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms, for the National Capital Region (NCR), Luzon, and Visayas Regions, the Commission incurred a total amount of P312,622,453.00;

WHEREAS, the Commission promulgated on September 05, 2017 a resolution in EM No. 17-003 (BRGY) entitled "In the Matter of Whether or Not to Postpone the 23 October 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) in Mindanao" postponing the 23 October 2017 BSKE in the entirety of Mindanao. Consequently, no Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms, were printed for the Mindanao Regions;

WHEREAS, on October 02, 2017 Republic Act No. 10952 was enacted into law, postponing the October 23, 2017 BSKE and resetting the same to May 14, 2018;

WHEREAS, on October 24, 2017 the Commission En Banc promulgated Resolution No. 10214 entitled "RESUMPTION OF THE SYSTEM OF CONTINUING REGISTRATION OF VOTERS IN CONNECTION WITH THE MAY 14, 2018 SYNCHRONIZED BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS (BSKE)" . Under the said Resolution, the period of registration for new voters, was set on November 6, 2017 to November 30, 2017;

WHEREAS, on December 18, 2017 after deliberation, the Commission approved the joint recommendation of the Project Management Office and working committees on the use of the already printed October 23, 2017 Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms for purposes of the May 14, 2018 BSKE;

WHEREAS, Section 43 of the Omnibus Election Code provides that "The official barangay ballots shall be provided by the city or municipality concerned of a size and color to be prescribed by the Commission." Clearly, the form and contents of the Official Ballots were not prescribed. Likewise, it does not require the date of the election to be specified;

WHEREAS, the Commission stands to save public funds and government resources in its decision to utilize prior printed Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms for the May 14, 2018 BSKE. The decision is in line with the nature of the BSKE which shall be non - partisan and shall be conducted in an expeditious and inexpensive manner.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the power vested in it under the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code, and other election laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, as follows:

1.    to use the already printed October 23, 2017 Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms for the conduct of the May 14, 2018 BSKE in the NCR, Luzon, and Visayas Regions;

2.    to print new and additional Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms for new voters under Resolution No. 10214 using October 23, 2017 as the date of elections to avoid confusion among voters;

3.    to print Official Ballots, Accountable and Non - Accountable Forms for the Mindanao Regions, bearing May 14, 2018 as the date of elections; and

4.    to direct the Education and Information Department, Regional Election Directors, Provincial Election Supervisors and the Election Officers, to cause the widest dissemination of the provisions of this Resolution, through the conduct of information campaigns, as well as the use of all forms of media (print, broadcast and internet).

This Resolution shall take effect on the seventh day after its publication in two daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let the Project Management Office for the May 14, 2018 BSKE and the Education and Information Department, implement this Resolution.

SO ORDERED.

SIGNED:

·         LIM, CHRISTIAN ROBERT S., Acting Chairman

·         PARREÑO, AL A., Commissioner

·         GUIA, LUIE TITO F., Commissioner

·         LIM, ARTHUR D., Commissioner

·         GUANZON, MA. ROWENA AMELIA V., Commissioner

·         ABAS, SHERIFF M., Commissioner