Comelec issues code of conduct for poll workers

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has come out with a code of conduct for election officers and employees nationwide.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said all Comelec personnel must be guided by the "highest standard" of honesty, impartiality and transparency in carrying out their task of ensuring honest and orderly elections.

"Comelec personnel must at all times protect the interest and independence of the commission by keeping themselves free from the influence of politicians and political parties," he said.

The code requires every Comelec employee to immediately disclose in writing to his immediate superior when any of his relatives files a certificate of candidacy or becomes an officer of a political party, Abalos said.

Unless duly authorized, every Comelec employee is restricted from divulging confidential information acquired by reason of his office, he added.

Abalos said Comelec personnel must secure written authority from the commission to practice law or get a permit to perform notarial work.

Comelec personnel and their families shall lead modest lives appropriate to their positions and income and must not indulge in extravagant displays of wealth, he added.

Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Florentino Tuason Jr. has clarified that only police and military personnel in full uniform would be exempted from the gun ban.

Last Friday, Tuason met in Camp Olivas in Pampanga with top police and military officials from all regions north of Metro Manila to clear the role of both the military and the police in the coming elections.

On the other hand, Central Luzon police director Chief Superintendent Ismael Rafanan said police will not act on any election-related request for police assistance or police deployment without the approval of the Comelec regional director.

"Such requests will be subject first to assessment before being recommended to the Comelec for either denial or approval," he said.

Rafanan said while the police can provide escorts for candidates whose safety is under threat, not all politicians will be entertained, "considering our available strength."

"Police escorts would be provided only on a case-to-case basis," he said.

Meanwhile, the Armed Forces Northern Luzon Command (Nolcom) is beefing up military operations in the remaining 100 barangays "under the influence " of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Central Luzon to prevent rebels from extorting "campaign fees" from candidates in such areas.

Nolcom chief Lt. Gen. Bonifacio Ramos said since military operations have reduced from about 400 to some 100 the number barangays "under NPA influence."

A barangay "under NPA influence" is one where the rebels have relative control on barangay residents.

"Influenced barangays are remote, but the military also conducts operations there," he said.

Troops are now moving to these barangays to ensure that candidates would be free to campaign in the areas, Ramos said.

On the other hand, Rafanan said that there are about five armed groups in Central Luzon, including some formed by private individuals "to protect their economic interests" and those maintained by politicians.

He refused to identify the maintainers of the armed groups.

Ramos and Rafanan urged candidates in the May elections to disengage themselves from the NPA in their campaign trail or face legal sanctions.

They police and military are prepared to ferret out candidates who would yield to any demand from the NPA, the two officials added.

Rafanan said the NPA is again expected to impose "campaign fees" on candidates who would like to campaign unhampered  in areas identified as either "affected" or "under the influence" of the rebels.

"Proof of any candidate’s giving in to the demands of the NPA could be basis for their disqualification from candidacy," he said.

Ramos said he would also not hesitate to file charges against anyone found giving support in any way to the NPA. – Mayen Jaymalin. Ding Cervantes