DOJ prosecutors to handle cases on poll offenses

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assigned the prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to handle election offense cases that are pending in regular courts so it can concentrate on poll automation.

In Resolution No. 8690, Comelec said the transfer of responsibility would unburden its lawyers who will have to focus on the preparations for next year’s elections.

“There is an overwhelming number of election offense cases pending before the regular courts. There is a need to delegate the prosecution of election offense cases to enable the lawyers of the Comelec to focus all their efforts on the automation,” Comelec said.

The Commission is now finalizing the “General Instruction,” a guidebook of policies for the automated elections.

The Comelec is also conducting public demonstrations of the precinct count optical scan machines.