The Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Bohol has reminded government employees who are planning to run for positions in the barangay elections to vacate their current posts in public office as mandated by poll rules.

The policy covers casual, job-order and regular government employees, said provincial election supervisor Atty. Elesio Labaria ahead of the May barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

Filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) will be held from April 14 to April 20 while campaign period is scheduled on May 4 until May 12, he added.

According to Labaria, the election period will officially start during the filing of COCs and end on May 21, a week after the polls.

Poll-related prohibitions, particularly the election gun ban, are expected to be enforced during the election period.

Meanwhile, it would depend on employers’ policies on whether or not their employees will be allowed to run or campaign for the elections while still working for their companies, Labaria said.

The House of Representatives approved last month the bill postponing the synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls but preparations for the elections in the province have already kicked off.

Despite Congress’ approval, the barangay and SK elections are expected to push through in May as efforts to enact the measure that will postpone the polls lack time and support from the Senate.

The Senate must pass a counterpart proposal for the said legislation, House Bill 7378, before it sent to President Rodrigo Duterte for his signature. (RT)