Parlade calls out alleged Comelec corruption

MANILA, Philippines — Retired Army general Antonio Parlade and at least 100 of his followers trooped to the People Power Monument on EDSA in Quezon City yesterday to condemn what he described as corruption in the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Parlade, former spokesman for the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), said corruption is rampant in the  Comelec that it needs to be overhauled.

The STAR tried to get the Comelec’s reaction on the matter, but the poll body’s spokesman James Jimenes was not available.

Parlade said a revolutionary government may be the only solution to curb corruption in government.

While saying they are not pushing for a revolutionary government, Parlade’s group posted a streamer expressing support for the overthrow of the country’s established government.

He said party-list groups need to shell out P5 million to P50 million to get accreditation from the Comelec.

Parlade said in an interview clip posted on Facebook that the commissioners come up with ways to make money and make it difficult for those without money.

Parlade said the Comelec, being a constitutional body, is untouchable.

Parlade ran for president but was excluded by the Comelec in the final list of presidential candidates.

“I will stay here and then wait for other people who believe in the advocacy. This is a peaceful expression of our sentiments,” he said.

Parlade and his supporters stayed at the monument until 2 p.m., according to Lt. Col. Imelda Reyes, chief of the Precinct 4 police.

Malacañang downplayed Parlade’s call, saying it was part of his freedom of speech and expression, which is guaranteed by the Constitution.

“As Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana directed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the retired general’s call is better left ignored,” acting presidential spokesman Martin Andanar said.

Lorenzana ordered the AFP to ignore Paralde and his supposed call for a revolutionary government.

AFP spokesman Col. Ramon Zagala said the military “is firm in its resolve to remain loyal to the Constitution and the duly constituted authorities.”

Zagala said the AFP continuously reminds its troops to adhere to the rule of law and always obey the chain of command, whoever is seated as the commander-in-chief.

Parlade, former chief of the  Southern Luzon Command, retired in July last year. He was known for his alleged involvement in the red-tagging activities of the military and identifying progressive party-list groups in the House of Representatives as front organizations of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) distanced itself from what it described as politically-oriented messages and themes posted by retired PNP members on social media platforms.

Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba of the PNP’s public information office said the messages of support to politicians do not reflect the political views and opinion of the police organization.

“Let me reiterate the PNP has nothing to do with these. The PNP is not in the business of making any political statement or meddling in campaign-related activities of certain candidates or political parties,” Alba said in a statement.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the PNP, said they received reports that retired police officers publicly expressed support for certain candidates.

Fajardo said some of these former PNP members were in police uniforms when they posted their political stance on social media.

The PNP said it maintains a non-partisan stance and would never endorse any political party or person seeking elective position.

Alba appealed to retired PNP officers not to drag the police organization in their political activities. –  Helen Flores, Michael Punongbayan