The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Bukidnon is urging the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to refund the Php535.00 collected registration and official receipt booklet fee of the candidates for the October 30, 2023, Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE)

On September 26, the 27th SP during its 59th regular session unanimously passed the resolution on the purpose upon motion of SP member Nemesio B. Beltran Jr.

In a statement, the Provincial Government of Bukidnon (PGB) said that the SP considered the resolution as urgent.

The SP also resolved that copies will be sent to the Revenue District Office (RDO) – 99 of the BIR based on Malaybalay City and to all its field offices in Bukidnon and other concerned government agencies for their information and reference.

Earlier, the SP passed a resolution upon motion by Beltran urging the BIR and Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold in abeyance the requirement of registration by the BSKE candidates pending appropriate information campaign by the BIR legally acceptable answers to the valid and legitimate queries and concerns of the citizens of the province of Bukidnon. It also sought the swift intervention and assistance of Senate President Juan Miguel F. Zubiri.

The previous resolution came out in response to the implementation of the Memorandum Circular No. 22-2022 dated February 21, 2022, requiring all candidates to submit duly accomplished BIR forms and payment of the Annual Registration Fee (ARF) within 30 days after filing their Certificate of Candidacy (COC) with the Comelec.

Beltran said that the memorandum caused undue confusion among the BSKE candidates in Bukidnon as they are caught off-guard with these requirements due mainly to the lack of a substantial and appropriate information dissemination campaign on the part of the BIR.

On September 20, 2023, the Comelec through the Deputy Director for Operations timely issued an Urgent Advisory to all Regional Election Directors and Provincial Election Supervisors nationwide, to notify all candidates in their respective jurisdiction by whatever means possible that “BIR registration and payment of the corresponding BIR registration of candidates are not required for filing of a certificate of candidacy nor are they prerequisites for continuing as candidates”.

As disclosed by the SP, based on the Comelec list, there are more than 15,000 candidates who are vying for the BSKE positions from the 464 barangays in the province.

As of press time, the Central Mindanao Newswatch is seeking comments from RDO-99 regarding the issues. (MG Mayumi B. Madera)