Aklan PNP on full alert, Comelec told candidates to file statements of expenses

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) Aklan has urged barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) candidates to submit their sworn statements of expenditures and contributions.

Aklan Election Supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria announced that all those who ran for the October 25 polls should file their sworn statements at the local Comelec on or before November 10.

"Those who failed to comply with the directive may be held liable with the Comelec," Ananoria said, adding the local Comelec will forward the list of expenses of candidates supported by receipts to the main office for evaluation.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 9043, a candidate is allowed to spend P3 for every registered voter in the barangay where he seeks to be elected. Those candidates- winning or losing - who violated the en banc resolution faces one to six years imprisonment, suspension of the right to vote and prohibition to hold public office.

As this developed, the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) is on full alert provincewide starting October 23.

Aklan police director Senior Superitendent Epifanio Bragais, Jr. said the APPO went on full alert at 8 a.m. Saturday. As of Sunday afternoon, no election-related incidents were recorded by APPO attributed to the intensified checkpoint operations of the local police.

Since the implementation of Comelec gun ban in the province, a total of four violators were arrested by APPO personnel, Bragais said. The gun ban implementation started on September 25 until November 10.

The barangay and SK elections on Monday will begin at 7 a.m. up to 3 p.m. in 327 barangays around the province of Aklan.