Comelec: More vote buying cases to be filed

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is preparing to file more vote-buying cases in connection with the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) last Monday.

Based on the latest report, the Kontra Bigay Task Force has received a total of 183 complaints of vote-buying, of which 27 have been formally filed while about 100 are under evaluation, according to Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr.

Maceda emphasized that the poll body is aware of other reports of vote-buying, including those coming from the media.

“But those reports have to be substantiated; we have to wait for formal complaints or check if there is enough evidence for us to file a case motu propio,” he said.

“We can make sure that we will bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

The Comelec can still pursue election offenses against those involved even after the actual polls, according to Maceda.

For preventing the proclamation of winning barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates, a mayor in the Bicol Region is facing possible election offense charges.

Aside from the Bicol mayor, the poll body is also readying legal suits against those who have caused delays in the conduct of elections in five barangays in Lanao del Sur, according Comelec Chairman George Garcia.

At a press briefing yesterday, Garcia warned local government officials against interfering with the conduct of the elections as well as the proclamation of winning candidates.

In particular, he reported that a mayor in Bicol prevented the Barangay Board of Canvassers (BBOC) from proclaiming winners in at least seven areas.

“They are interfering… they’re saying don’t proclaim yet. So we ordered our regional director that the BBOC should proclaim today at all costs. We don’t care about whoever is calling the shots or giving pressure because the mayor might get angry,” he said in Filipino.

The Comelec chief noted that the poll body sees no other reason behind the mayor’s action, except for the possibility that the official is not in favor of the election results.

Garcia, however, stressed that the local government official has no authority to meddle with the mandate of the Comelec to conduct the election and proclaim the winners.

Also yesterday, he disclosed that the Comelec would pursue legal charges against people who caused the delay in the delivery of election paraphernalia in several barangays in Lanao del Sur.

“We will deal with them later,” Garcia said as he noted that Comelec officials would go to Lanao del Sur to conduct an investigation.

He added that the poll body already has the names of those involved in the delay in the delivery of election paraphernalia.

For Garcia, the delay in distribution of election materials is unacceptable since elections were held as scheduled in other barangays.

He said the Comelec would also look into the liabilities of teachers and police personnel who backed out from serving as members of the Election Board (EB).

“We’re still studying it; it’s criminal and at the same time, administrative,” he added.

The Comelec needs to take appropriate action, considering that teachers backing out from serving as EB members often come from the same place.

The Comelec chief, however, gave assurance that the poll body is ready to extend the maximum financial assistance of P200,000 to the less than 10 teachers who were unable to perform their duties due to accidents.

In other developments, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte thanked teachers for their service during the recently concluded BSKE.

“My heartfelt gratitude to our teachers who served (during election day). You showed the true essence of cooperation and unity to ensure an honest, orderly and peaceful elections,” Duterte said in a statement.

She also reminded teachers who were involved in accidents and incidents – whether during or outside their duties during the election – of their personal accident insurance that they may claim with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS).

“You can claim Personal Accident Insurance from GSIS that we have procured for all teaching and non-teaching personnel of the (Department of Education),” she added.