By Junex Doronio
RECEIVING COMPLAINTS THAT SOME LOCAL OFFICIALS were meddling in the recently-concluded Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE), Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman George Garcia on Sunday disclosed that those involved will be facing charges of election offenses.
Garcia said the Comelec will come up with a list of these erring government officials by Monday, November 6.
“Ako’y nagpatawag ng isang pagpupulong kung saan ipa-finalize namin ‘yung listahan na sa aming palagay ay nakialam sa ating halalan. Kinakailangan naming seryosohin ang bagay na ‘yan lalong lalo na maaaring maulit muli sa mga susunod na halalan,” the poll body chief bared in his interview with Super Radyo dzBB.
He noted that the Comelec received more than 10 complaints against local government officials interfering with the BSKE last October 30.
Garcia said these complaints should be verified and investigated before they will be brought to the attention of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
He sternly warned that those who have influenced or threatened the teachers who were forced to back out from their poll duties will be jailed.
“Hindi natin babalikan ang mga guro, hindi tayo magpapakulong ng ating mga bayani o guro. Subalit kung sino ‘yung mga nang-impluwensya o nanakot sa kanila, ‘yan ang babalikan natin. Mukhang dapat kinakailangan mapanagot natin ang mga ‘yan,” Garcia stressed. (ai/mnm)
