𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂-𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐬

𝐏𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠-𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂-𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐋𝐢𝐚𝐬

By: Chello Gonzales

Attendees on the Pulong pulong sa Barangay in Lias,Marilao, Bulacan on October 24, 2023

Pulong-Pulong sa Barangay was the initiative of the Commission on Elections-Marilao to give insights about voting in the barangay elections, Sangguniang Kabataan, and for the plebiscite of San Jose del Monte. It was held on October 24, 2023, at the Function Hall in Lias, Marilao, Bulacan.

Residents and voters of Barangay Lias were in attendance. The voting discussion started with the topic of the Highly Urbanized City (HUC) of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, in accordance with Proclamation 1057, which became law on December 4, 2020. Clarifications were made for the attendees.

“Ang San Jose del Monte po ay hindi po mawawala sa Bulacan; ang mawawala lang po yung kita yun ang disadvantage,” according to Ma. Victoria Angeles Parulan, contact person of COMELEC-Marilao.

If voters vote yes, she added that, “Ang ating San Jose del Monte ay hindi na siya bibilang, hindi na siya boboto sa ating probinsya kaya yung local, 4th district for Marilao lang, Obando, saka Meycauayan.”

Registered voters that reside in Bulacan can vote on the plebiscite

Ballots
15-17 years old	18-30 years old	31 years old and above
Sangguniang Kabataan Ballot only	Barangay Elections Sangguniang Kabataan Elections Plebiscite for HUC of San Jose del Monte	Barangay Elections Plebiscite for HUC of San Jose del Monte

It was discussed that watchers of candidates must be registered properly. “Kung kayo po ay gustong maging watcher, kailangan po magpadala kayo, magpalista po kayo sa inyong candidates kasi ang ating candidates naman, gagawa ng listahan para ipadala sa COMELEC.”

There were circumstances where they had a “Watcher” ID but was not registered. Now, the election officials could remove them from the voting precinct.

Other matters were also explained, such as election offenses.

Questions from the attendees were also entertained. A resident asked a question about tarpaulins in tricycles, to which Parulan answered, ”Kung private okay po siya pero kung yung tricycle ay public hindi po siya pwede.”

[If the tricycle is a private property, it is okay, but if it is a public property it is not applicable.]

She reiterated that the right measurements is important in campaign paraphernalia, “Yung mali sukat sa kahit anong lugar siya nakalagay, bawal po.”

“Napakahaba ng poste niyo rito, alam niyo ba dito kami nagtagal” she stated when a resident asked her on the campaign materials.

[Your (electric) post here is very long, you know we spent a long time here.]

A resident answered, “Meron na naman po” and then Parulan explained “Lahat ng may reklamo hindi na namin po yan ini-entertain sa COMELEC, ididiretso po ‘yan sa Anti Epal.”

[COMELEC does not entertain any complaints, it will go straight to Anti Epal]

According to Ma. Victoria Angeles Parulan, “Dito sa Marilao, mahigit sa singkwenta (50) na po ang napadalahan ng show cause order.”


[Here in Marilao, more than 50 show cause orders were sent.]

Ludy Ann Riano, alumni of Bulacan State University running for SK Chairman asked, “Halimbawa po yung mga tarp po ay nasa park po namin”

[For example, tarpaulins in our park.]

Parulan answered that it is not allowed, adding, “Basta kailangan lang po yung dun sa common poster areas ata saka po sa private place na nagpaalam doon sa may-ari.”

Ronaldo Marcelo asking questions at Pulong-pulong sa Barangay in Lias, Marilao, Bulacan on October 24, 2023.

Jericho Balunsay and Mildred Carloto at Pulong-pulong sa Barangay in Lias, Marilao, Bulacan on October 24, 2023.

Ronaldo “Onnie” Marcelo, Barangay Captain of Lias and running for the position was also in attendance for the event as well as candidates for councilors and Sangunniang Kabaataan attended the event.

Another candidate for Barangay Captain, Em Mateo and his candidates for councilor and Sangguniang Kabataan were among those not present at the event.