MOUNTAIN Province may hold a special election to fill in the vacant position of Congressman Maximo Dalog, who died last June 3.
Lawyer Elenita Julia Tabangin-Capuyan, Baguio-Benguet provincial election supervisor said elections must be held within the prescribed period provided under Republic Act 7166.
Section 4 of RA 7166 states that Commission on Election (Comelec) shall call and hold a special election to fill the vacancy not earlier than sixty (60) days nor longer than ninety (90) days after the occurrence of the vacancy.
Tabangin, in a letter to VoxPop Baguio, however said the “period of holding the elections which is not earlier than 60 days nor longer than 90 after the occurrence of the vacancy may not be held simultaneously with the barangay and SK elections because the 90th day falls within the first week of September.”
Dalog left the province without representation in the Congress.
In an earlier interview with House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, he said the issue will be tackled when the Congress convenes before a caretaker could be appointed.
In holding special elections, the province will fund the plebiscite and will be reimbursed by Comelec as stated in the Omnibus Election Code under Section 10 which states “except in barangay elections, such expenses as may be necessary and reasonable in connection with the elections, referenda, plebiscites and other similar exercises shall be paid by the Commission.”
Provinces, cities, or municipalities holding the special election can make their expenses chargeable to the Comelec and will be reimbursed upon presentation of the proper bill.
Funds needed by the Comelec to defray the expenses for the holding of regular and special elections, referenda and plebiscites will be provided in the regular appropriations of the Comelec which, upon request, will immediately be released to the Comelec.
In case of deficiency, the amount so provided shall be augmented from the special activities funds in the general appropriations act and from those specifically appropriated for the purpose in special laws.
rCorrection: This story corrects an earlier story published on June 23, titled “No special election in MP.” We are correcting this article to avoid misleading the people of Mt. Province. Our Apologies