Comelec: LGU execs to face raps for BSKE interference

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to file charges against local government officials who interfered and caused delays in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE).

“These local government officials have meddled during the voting, the counting of votes and even during the canvassing,” Comelec Chairman George Garcia said at a press briefing yesterday.

He added: “These people are trying to influence the outcome (of the elections) and even the members of the electoral board, the barangay board of canvassers… There is a need to investigate them and file appropriate cases.”

“They will do this again in the next (midterm) elections and the next after that, which is the BSKE. So we just cannot let them get away with this,” said Garcia.

He said the Comelec would call for a meeting and instruct the deputy director for administration and deputy director for operations to gather all reports nationwide concerning local politicians who interfered in the counting, canvassing and even in the proclamation of candidates, as well as those who caused delay.

“We would like to also find out what happened to the teachers who backed out suddenly and did not serve during election day, as well as PNP personnel who weren’t able to serve as substitute of the said teachers,” Garcia said.

He also said that they have no plans of filing cases or bringing to jail any teacher.

“We will not file cases against the teachers, especially those who withdrew prior to the elections since it’s an absolute right to refuse to serve on election day, but those who suddenly backed out during election day, we just want to know why you refused to turn over the election paraphernalia to the ones who replaced you,” said Garcia.

The Comelec also said that in the next few weeks or months, it will file cases against those who have threatened or caused violence against teachers, personnel as well as Comelec officials and employees.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has denied reports that its personnel withdrew or backed out as special board of election inspectors (SBEI) during the barangay polls.

“With due respect to the Commission on Elections, we don’t