At least 253 barangay officials, who won in the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) were not allowed to assume their posts because of vote-buying charges, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec chairperson George Garcia said these barangay officials are among the approximately 1,000 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials charged for buying votes in the previous election.
The rule of succession is followed when winning BSKE candidates are disqualified, Garcia added.
The poll chief said village executives who were prevented from assuming their posts were from different provinces, including in Metro Manila.
However, Garcia admitted that none of the approximately 1,000 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials charged for vote-buying have been convicted to date.
“This is a lesson for all candidates. Don’t underestimate the Commission. You weren’t proclaimed and now they’re facing a case,” he said.
Garcia cited a case where the entire roster of barangay officials who won the polls was not allowed to take office and the town mayor had to appoint officers to oversee the village.
