Comelec not blackmailing SC on TRO – Bautista

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections is not blackmailing the Supreme Court (SC) over its ruling on the “no bio, no boto” policy, Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said yesterday.

“How can I blackmail the Supreme Court? I don’t blackmail anybody,” Bautista told reporters.

Ang Kabataan party-list Rep. Terry Ridon said the Comelec is trying to blackmail the SC by spreading fears of a no-election scenario.

“All we are asking is for Comelec to abide by the Constitution… The Comelec is using the no-el card to cover up its refusal to abide by the Constitution,” Ridon said.

The SC granted Ang Kabataan’s petition to suspend the Comelec campaign to ensure that some 2.4 million people without biometrics can vote in next year’s elections.

Bautista also denied social media posts linking him to the ruling Liberal Party (LP) and its standard-bearer Mar Roxas.

“I have never been a member of the LP and I did not serve as adviser to nor was involved in the senatorial campaign of Mar Roxas in 2004,” Bautista said in a television interview.

He said people should not ascribe politics to his appointment by President Aquino, LP’s titular head.

Bautista said Comelec officials enjoy security of tenure and could not be removed from office except through the impeachment process after they are appointed and confirmed by the Commission on Appointments.

He added their loyalty is to the institution they serve and not to the appointing power.                                                

Bautista said the Comelec is now studying the disqualification cases filed against presidential aspirants Sen. Grace Poe and Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte. – With Jess Diaz