CEBU, Philippines - The Commission on Elections is reshuffling its supervisors in preparation for the upcoming election.
Among those affected by the revamp is Cebu Provincial Election Supervisor, Atty. Marco Lionel Castillano, who will be transferred to Bohol effective January 21. Castillano however said that the reassignment is only temporary and he is expected to return to Cebu after the May 2013 elections.
Castillano was anticipating it after he was accused by the Liberal Party of being partisan. He was earlier caught on camera flashing the One Cebu sign during the filing of the certificates of candidacy.
LP gubernatorial bet Hilario “Junjun†Davide and Vice gubernatorial bet Agnes Magpale raised concerns on alleged biases after a picture of Castillano was printed in a local newspaper showing the One Cebu sign.
But Castillano clarified that he was only entertaining the son of One Cebu gubernatorial candidate Pablo John Garcia. Castillano explained that the young kid was crying and was not eager to pose for the press with his family. He said that he did ask the child to make a One Cebu sign, which may have been misinterpreted in the picture.
But even with the issue clarified, Castillano said that he would volunteer to be transferred if his biases would be in question and might affect his credibility in performing his job.
However, Castillano said that the reshuffling that is to take place two weeks from now is due to the regular reshuffling ordered by the management which would affect all the provinces.
Castillano explained that reshuffling of managers in provinces is normal before the election campaign starts to prevent ‘familiarization’ of local government officials which he said is very reasonable.
He added that last election, a reshuffling was also done but mostly in the Mindanao area.
Castillano will momentarily be replaced by Atty. Eddie Aba of Comelec Negros Oriental.
Comelec on Gwen
Even with on-going tension in the Capitol with the suspension of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Castillano said that this will not affect her campaign as far as the Comelec is concerned.
Castillano said that even with the suspension, the name of Garcia would still be included in the ballot.
He explained that only those that have been filed with disqualification cases and have been prohibited from running would not have their names in the ballot. —/FPL (FREEMAN)