No law broken in barangay officials’ campaign, Thailand trip – councilor

By Dolly Yasa

Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito said there is nothing illegal about barangay officials campaigning in the May 2025 elections or going on an all-expense-paid trip sponsored by Bacolod Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez.

Distrito made the statement after photos of barangay officials, including himself and fellow city councilors, on a trip to Thailand surfaced on social media.

In a weekend post, Distrito thanked Benitez for “this opportunity given to our barangay officials who delivered a 16-0 result during the last elections and were rewarded with this trip to Bangkok, Thailand.”

He said even barangay captains who delivered a 15-1 result were included, noting that the trip was “personally funded” by the congressman.

“Because of their efforts, we councilors were also brought along,” he added.

In a follow-up post, Distrito addressed concerns raised about the legality of barangay officials campaigning and being rewarded with travel.

As a lawyer, he cited Commission on Elections (Comelec) Minute Resolution No. 24-1001, issued March 21, 2025, which allows elected barangay officials—including punong barangays, barangay kagawads, and Sangguniang Kabataan chairpersons—to engage in partisan political activities during the 2025 national and local election campaign period.

Distrito explained that under the resolution, incumbent barangay and SK officials are exempt from the general prohibition on partisan political activity under the Omnibus Election Code.

This is because they are elected officials and not career civil service employees, who are the ones covered by such restrictions.

He said this interpretation aligns with long-standing jurisprudence and is affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Therefore, campaigning in the May 12, 2025, elections did not constitute a violation of the law.

“Now, if they went abroad as a reward for their successful campaign efforts, that also does not constitute a violation because their actions that led to such travel were not illegal in the first place,” Distrito said.

He added that the legal maxim Licitus per se non trahit ad se illicita applies, which means, “What is lawful in itself does not carry with it things that are unlawful.”

“In other words, if the original act is legal, then any consequence arising from that lawful act is not a crime,” he explained.

“I hope this clarifies the matter,” Distrito said.