BARANGAY OFFICIALS are supposed to be non-partisan. Unless they resign or take a leave of absence, they are not supposed to campaign, much less use public resources, for any candidate or party.
The Department of Interior and Local Government perennially reminds barangay officials that their mandate provides that they remain neutral. Violators may be slapped with hefty penalties if caught participating in any partisan activity.
Unfortunately, such is not the reality in Philippine politics. Most barangay officials are the biggest rah-rah boys of candidates for public office. Worse, these community leaders become instrumental in vote-buying. This is very disturbing, dear karikna, because Comelec deputizes barangay officials to ensure the conduct of clean, honest, and credible elections.
Sad to say, I am not aware of any barangay official who has been prosecuted for actively supporting particular candidates.
