MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday warned candidates to expect more disqualification cases and show-cause orders as the May 12 midterm elections neared, vowing to hold them accountable for violations.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said their Task Force Safe will file a disqualification case against a candidate in Pasay.

“Opisyal na kakasuhan ng task force ang kandidato na involved dito sa kasong disqualification at election offense,” said Garcia.

“Asahan niyo na sa mga susunod na araw mag-iissue pa ng show-cause orders at pagkatapos may for disqualification base sa vote buying diyan sa Quezon, kandidato sa congressman, iyung isa incumbent mayor,” he added.

“Madami nang disqualification patungkol sa residency, citizenship, at iba pa. Subalit mayroon kaming idi-disqualify as governor sa Bicol dahil sa issue din ng residency,” Garcia also said.

This is about holding those candidates accountable for their actions, said the poll chief.

“Asahan niyo na sunod-sunod na yan sa mga susunod na araw para lang hindi sabihin ng mga kababayan natin na hanggang show-cause orders lang ang Commission on Elections. Pinapatunayan natin na kung hindi man kayo mag-complain, hindi man kayo mag-file ng petition, kahit hindi pinanumpaan, kami na mismo ang kikilos, kami na mismo ang aaksyon,” he said.

DQ VS BOHOL SLATE ‘WITHDRAWN’

Garcia said they issued a summons to a whole slate of candidates in Aklan. 

He earlier confirmed that among those included are former Aklan Gov. Joeben Miraflores, who is running for Aklan Second District representative.

The polls chief earlier said the slate was involved in vote-buying.

“Kasi official siyang finile, mayroong case number. May nag-file na ilang registered voter,” said Garcia, speaking about the summons.

Meanwhile, a complainant withdrew the disqualification case against the entire slate in Bohol.

“Hindi itinuloy yung petition to disqualify the entire slate in Bohol. So lumalabas sa ngayon na walang pending disqualification pertaining to vote buying sa entire slate sa Bohol. Diyan lang sa Aklan meron,” he said.

A disqualification case has also been filed against a candidate for congressman and governor in Laguna, and against a candidate for congresswoman in Quezon City.

No other details were immediately available.

Comelec earlier said it has the power to suspend the proclamation of winning candidates in the midterm elections if they have pending disqualification cases regardless of grounds.

Garcia said this covers grounds arising from issues on the candidate’s campaign rallies and other election offenses.