Comelec exec downplays impeach raps

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco said yesterday that any impeachment complaint which the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) would file against her was doomed to fail.

Speaking to reporters during a forum at the Manila Hotel, Tancangco said her lawyer told her that Namfrel’s accusations of "inefficiency and gross inexcusable negligence" have no basis because all her official actions as Comelec commissioner were covered by an en banc resolution.

"I don’t see any impeachable offense (in the complaint)," she said. "My lawyer said all my acts were covered by an en banc resolution."

On the other hand, Tancangco said Namfrel chairman Jose Concepcion opposes the Voter’s Registration and Identification System (VRIS) because it would free the electoral system of fraud and other forms of cheating.

"Namfrel has outlived its usefulness and purpose because it fails to promote balance and truthfulness (during elections)," she said. "Namfrel has turned from watchdog to kingmaker to lapdog."

Tancangco said Concepcion was also brokering for a Canadian firm to bid for the poll body’s modernization program for each ballot to cost P25 instead of P1.50 per ballot in VRIS.

Concepcion also wants the Comelec to buy counting machines, she added.

Tancangco said the VRIS is a data base identification system which could identify voters even if they have no identification cards.

Namfrel is reportedly planning to file an impeachment complaint against Tancangco before the House of Representatives for her failure to modernize last year’s national and local elections.

But Bulacan Rep. Willie Buyson and Lanao del Norte Rep. Faisah Dumarpa said it would only set back the Comelec’s efforts to reform the country’s antiquated electoral system if Tancangco is impeached.

"This would only (slow down the) putting in place of a modernized system that would answer the many problems of our country’s electoral system," Dumarpa said.

"What we need is a sober discussion on the controversy and a healthy democratic exchange of ideas on the issues affecting the Commission on Elections and its officials," Buyson said.

Namfrel had been pressing the poll body to implement reforms and modernize the electoral system to minimize cheating as well as speed up the counting of ballots.

Buyson and Dumarpa denied Namfrel’s allegations that Tancangco was not sincere in cleaning up the country’s electoral system.

"Commissioner Tancangco has ably defended herself against all charges and has the truth on her side," Buyson said.

"And we believe that her courage to stand firm for genuine electoral reforms and her unswerving commitment to rectify defective election procedures make her a good example of a professional woman who has dedicated herself to public service," Dumarpa said.

Buyson said he could vouch for Tancangco, who was his professor at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

On the other hand, Dumarpa said many Muslim politicians respect the competence and integrity of Tancangco.