Entire lineup in Bohol, Aklan faces disqualification case — Comelec | ABS-CBN

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Entire lineup in Bohol, Aklan faces disqualification case — Comelec
Entire lineup in Bohol, Aklan faces disqualification case — Comelec
Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia, August 8, 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Commission on Election Chairman George Garcia on Wednesday said a disqualification case has been filed against a “whole lineup” of candidates in Aklan and Bohol.
MANILA — Commission on Election Chairman George Garcia on Wednesday said a disqualification case has been filed against a “whole lineup” of candidates in Aklan and Bohol.
Garcia confirmed that among those facing a disqualification case is former Aklan Gov. Joeben Miraflores, who is running for Aklan Second District representative.
Garcia confirmed that among those facing a disqualification case is former Aklan Gov. Joeben Miraflores, who is running for Aklan Second District representative.
“Ang sinasabi is abuse of state resources na may pagka-vote buying. Hindi pa natin nakikita ang kabuuan ng impormasyon ng alegasyon and therefore yan ay kaagad nating ira-raffle sa isang division upang mapasagot sila sa eksaktong panahon para makita natin kung may basehan ba ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanila,” he said.
“Ang sinasabi is abuse of state resources na may pagka-vote buying. Hindi pa natin nakikita ang kabuuan ng impormasyon ng alegasyon and therefore yan ay kaagad nating ira-raffle sa isang division upang mapasagot sila sa eksaktong panahon para makita natin kung may basehan ba ang mga akusasyon laban sa kanila,” he said.
The Comelec chair urged the involved candidates to respond to the accusations.
The Comelec chair urged the involved candidates to respond to the accusations.
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“Pag hindi sumagot ang isang respondent sa isang petisyon, mawe-waiver yung karapatan niya to debunk o i-kwestyon o protektahan ang kanyang sarili. Magde-desisyon ang Comelec division base sa records ng kaso. Sayang naman ang pagkakataon na maidepensa ang kanilang sarili,” he said.
“Pag hindi sumagot ang isang respondent sa isang petisyon, mawe-waiver yung karapatan niya to debunk o i-kwestyon o protektahan ang kanyang sarili. Magde-desisyon ang Comelec division base sa records ng kaso. Sayang naman ang pagkakataon na maidepensa ang kanilang sarili,” he said.
Garcia warned candidates for the midterm elections that the poll body is serious in addressing reports of vote-buying, vote-selling, or abuse of state resources in campaigns.
Garcia warned candidates for the midterm elections that the poll body is serious in addressing reports of vote-buying, vote-selling, or abuse of state resources in campaigns.
SHOW CAUSE ORDERS
Meanwhile, Garcia said data from the Committee on Kontra Bigay showed that they already issued around 150 show-cause orders since the campaign launched this year.
Meanwhile, Garcia said data from the Committee on Kontra Bigay showed that they already issued around 150 show-cause orders since the campaign launched this year.
He said the show-cause orders only sought to provide an avenue for the candidate and the complainant to air their sides.
He said the show-cause orders only sought to provide an avenue for the candidate and the complainant to air their sides.
“Ang importante ay nag-act ang Comelec. Kung hindi naman kami kumilos, sisisihin kami ng sambayanan. May nakitang may kulay na pera, may nakitang pang regalo na ganyan so siyempre kung yan ay nangyari sa panahon ng kampanya, papasok yan sa issue ng vote-buying,” Garcia said.
“Ang importante ay nag-act ang Comelec. Kung hindi naman kami kumilos, sisisihin kami ng sambayanan. May nakitang may kulay na pera, may nakitang pang regalo na ganyan so siyempre kung yan ay nangyari sa panahon ng kampanya, papasok yan sa issue ng vote-buying,” Garcia said.
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“Yun ang pinapatunayan natin na part ng proseso ang show-cause order, at the same time part ng pagkakataon yan ng mga respondent o inaakusahan na maipaliwanag ang kanilang mga sarili... At least nagkaroon sila ng venue na magpaliwanag ng sarili nila at hindi sa social media nagpapaliwanagan,” he added.
“Yun ang pinapatunayan natin na part ng proseso ang show-cause order, at the same time part ng pagkakataon yan ng mga respondent o inaakusahan na maipaliwanag ang kanilang mga sarili... At least nagkaroon sila ng venue na magpaliwanag ng sarili nila at hindi sa social media nagpapaliwanagan,” he added.
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.
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.
Garcia said this covers grounds arising from issues on the candidate’s campaign rallies and other election offenses.
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