Candidates for barangay polls must be literate, Comelec says

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
October 6, 2010

TACLOBAN CITY  –  One of the requirements of the law is that a candidate in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections should be able to read and write in Filipino or in the local dialect. In other words, literacy is a requirement in order to become a candidate in the forthcoming barangay and SK polls.

Being illiterate is one of the grounds for disqualification of a candidate. There are times however, that candidates who do not know how to read or write are able to run for barangay positions. There are times when the one who receives the certificate of candidacy cannot check if the candidate is literate or not. For one, the Certificate of Candidacy may be filed by an authorized representative. The form would already be filled up.

The remedy, the Comelec informed, is to file a disqualification case. However, Jimenez said that there are usually few disqualification cases filed during barangay elections against a candidate who cannot read or write.

What is most effective is not to vote for the illiterate candidate so that he will not win. What is important is communication and information dissemination within the community.

The barangay captain is the executive head of the smallest unit of government. He is in charge of governance, fiscal administration, development planning, barangay legislation, basic services and facilities and compliance to directives.

The responsibilities of this job require the barangay officials’ full attention. They cannot be accomplished half-heartedly because public service demands the barangay officials’ complete commitment.

Since they are the primary link of the government to the grassroots, the job of barangay officials is a sensitive one. As such, the voters must always remember that the efficacy of governance is enhanced or worsened depending on the performance of the barangay officials.

Being the smallest government unit, the barangay is the foundation on which the rest of the state’s institutions are built. If the Philippines is to progress as a nation, it is imperative that the foundation of government be rock-solid lest the whole structure crumbles.