Castillano tells Junie, Benhur: Send petition to Comelec en banc

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano has advised the rival camps of Rep. Benhur Salimbangon and Bogo City Mayor Celestino "Junie" Martinez Jr. to file a petition before the Commission on Elections en banc to place the entire fourth district of the province under Comelec control.

Castillano issued the advice after Salimbangon agreed to the suggestion of Martinez to place the entire fourth district under Comelec control and not just the City of Bogo.

Salimbangon and Castillano were the guests yesterday of "Frankahay Ta" program of radio station Radyo 5-101.9 News FM hosted by lawyers Frank Malilong, Omar Redula and Briccio Boholst.

  Castillano said that both Salimbangon and Martinez can bring up their arguments to Comelec en banc to be the basis for putting the district under Comelec control.

Martinez's son, Celestino "Tining" Martinez III of the Liberal Party, is running against Salimbangon of National Unity Party-One Cebu for congressman in 2013 elections.

Tining told The FREEMAN that it is only the Comelec Joint Committee that evaluates whether or not a district should be placed under its control.

"But our main contention is if this is done, who will take supervision over the conduct of the elections?" said Tining.

Tining pointed out that in 2007 and 2010 elections, the persons who were given the task for peace keeping "did a very bad job."

He is referring to the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

"The people in our district still live in fear of people in uniform because they feel that even until now, there is connivance with criminal elements in the area being used as goons," he said.

Tining suggested to first apprehend these people to restore the faith in the system and guarantee the conduct of fair and honest elections.

 The shootout in Tabuelan town involving a former anti-crime volunteer of Bogo City has made Salimbangon call for city to be placed under Comelec control.

But Mayor Martinez quickly reacted and asked why single out Bogo City and not the whole fourth district.

Castillano earlier explained that there are three circumstances for a place to be declared under Comelec control, namely: history of election violence, intense political rivalry and the presence of private armed group. — (FREEMAN)