Manila, Philippines — With almost three months left before the scheduled Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) on November 2, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) reminded the aspiring candidates about the filing of Certificate of candidacies.
In the August 4 resolution of COMELEC, Commission en banc approved the recommendation to include Sworn Declaration on Conflict of Interest on the COC submission for the Novembr polls and in the future elections: “I undertake, once elected, to comply with the provisions on conflict of interest under Republic Act Nos. 3019 and 6713, particularly as to the prohibition on having direct or indirect financial or pecuniary interest in any business, contract, or transaction that may be opposed to or affected by the faithful performance of official duty, oI in which I am prohibited by the Constitution or any law from having any interest.”
Under Section 3 of Republic Act No. 6:30, there is a conflict of interest when a public official is a board member, officer, or substantial stockholder of a private corporation.
Conflict of interest may also arise if they are an owner or has substantial interest in a business that may affect or be affected of their faithful performance of their constitutional duty.
Likewise, RA 3019 Section 3 prohibits public officers to have direct or indirect financial interest on any business, contract, or transaction that may affect his duty as a public official.
COMELEC clarified that the inclusion of the declaration in the COC is not an additional qualification to hold office, rather, a statement of their compliance with the existing laws.
This is also aimed at promoting transparency through keeping records of financial interests of BSKE aspirants, that may affect their dutiful performance as public servants.—Mia Layaguin, Eurotv News