Comelec control eyed in Central Luzon jueteng havens Ding Cervantes

MABALACAT, Pampanga – The Central Luzon office of the Commission on Elections (Co-melec) is considering putting under its control areas where big-time gambling lords could exert influence on the outcome of elections.

Acting Comelec regional director Nicolas Fontalera said his officers in Nueva Ecija have also recommended that the entire province be declared an election hot spot.

Meanwhile, an alleged big-time gambling lord, Melchor Caliwag, alias Ngongo, is running for councilor in San Fernando City.

Caliwag is facing several illegal gambling cases with the local court. He has been likened to "Robin Hood" due to his reported generosity to local folk.

Fontalera said he met with Chief Superintendent Enrique Galang, Central Luzon police director, to discuss whether the potential influence gambling lords could have on local voters, could be another basis in declaring an area under Comelec control.

"The Comelec provides that intense political rivalries and peace and order threats as bases for declarations of election hot spots, so we are discussing whether we could include the case of gambling lords," he said.

In Nueva Ecija, Fontalera said election officers in 32 towns reported intense political rivalries and, in some areas, increased activities of the communist New People’s Army (NPA) as among the reasons for their recommendation to declare the entire province under Comelec control.

"We foresee intense political rivalries among political parties and families in that province, and even at the municipal level," he said.

Fontalera said they expect gambling lords to spend a lot of money to support candidates sympathetic to their illegal operations.

"We expect gambling lords to contribute to as many candidates as possible regardless of political affiliations, but they are likely to give much more to candidates whom they perceive to be on their side," he said.

Fontalera said placing these areas where gambling lords are likely to concentrate their funds would discourage vote-buying, especially on election day.

"The heavy presence of lawmen in such areas would help curb vote-buying," he said. He, however, did not identify the areas. — With Ric Sapnu