Seventeen out of the city’s 128 candidates for barangay chairmen (village chiefs) are unopposed in the Oct. 30, 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

Based on a list from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the unopposed aspirants are Jefferson Heng of Abanao-Zanduete-Chugum-Kayang-Otek (AZKO); Randy Gati of Ambiong; Evelyn Balisong of Bakakeng Norte/Zur; Melvin Cortes of Bayan Park Village; Jeanette Floresca of Camdas; Ariel del Monte of DPS Compound; Orlando Basongit of Gabriela Silang; Murphy Maspil of Holy Ghost Proper; Ernesto Laguardia of Imelda Marcos; Nerissa Bayan of Kayang Extension; Priscilla Dacanay of Upper Magsaysay; Bonifacio Bustos of Padre Burgos; Dinah Campos of Upper Quezon Hill; Van Oliver Dicang of Lower Quirino Hill; Joey David of Upper Rock Quarry; Nicanor Nialla of San Antonio Village; and Ernesto Amon of San Roque Village.

A total of 2,794 aspirants filed their certificates of candidacy (CoCs) for the various elective positions in next month’s BSKE.

Of this number, 2,173 individuals filed their CoCs for the available 128 punong barangay positions and 621 for the same number of SK chairman and councilor seats.

Of the 320 aspirants punong barangay, 231 are males and 89 are females.

Of the 1,853 bets for barangay kagawad (village councilor), 1,032 are males and 821 are females.

Of the 213 individuals aspiring for SK chairmen, 103 are males and 110 are females.

A total of 408 individuals are seeking to be elected as SK kagawad.

Comelec officials reminded the candidates not to be involved in premature campaigning until the start of the campaign period on October 19-28 to prevent them from facing unnecessary problems that could lead to their possible disqualification from being elected into office.

The poll body is preparing for the conduct of the necessary training of members of the board of election inspectors in the precinct level to ensure their readiness during the conduct of the BSKE.

The elections will be done manually in preparation for the expected transition to automated ones in 2025 and every election thereafter.

Earlier, the Comelec declared August 28 to November 29 as election period where various activities related to the transfer of personnel among others are prohibited to guarantee the secure and free conduct of the political exercise.