Possible disqualification for candidates in unusual voter surge - Comelec

Metro Manila, Philippines – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) warned on Wednesday that it would initiate disqualification proceedings for candidates who may be involved in the issuance of barangay certifications to raise the number of voters.

In a chance interview at the sidelines of the national convention of election officers in Pasay City, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body is investigating cases of unusual voter number surge in some areas.

Garcia identified Makati City, Cabanatuan in Nueva Ecija, and Cagayan de Oro.

He mentioned the case of a barangay chairman running for a House seat, who distributed thousands of certifications that may be used as proof of residency for registration.

“Ikaw ang nakaupo at mag-iisyu ka talaga ng libu-libong certification. Dahil ikaw ang tatakbo later on? Di’ba, that's a conflict of interest. Pure and simple,” he said.

[Translation: You are in authority and yet you will issue thousands of certifications. And you plan to run for office later on? Isn’t that a conflict of interest? Pure and simple]

Garcia said such acts may also count as an election offense.

“One to six years imprisonment po iyan… Ang en banc din ang mag-approve kung kakasuhan sila at kapag na-convict sila at napatunayang may kasalanan, perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” he said.

[Translation: That’s one to six years imprisonment. The commission en banc will also approve if they will be charged, and if they are convicted and proven guilty, it will result in perpetual disqualification from holding public office.]

Lawmakers have earlier flagged the surge in voter transfer and registration, particularly in the cities of Makati and San Juan.

Garcia asked lawmakers to pass a measure that would invalidate certification as proof of residence in voter registration.

The Comelec listed at least 13 valid IDs to register.

“Tutal naman mayroon na tayong national ID. Meron tayong postal ID, senior citizens ID, ang dami naman pwedeng government issued ID,” the Comelec chief said.

[Translation: We have national ID, postal ID, senior citizens ID. There are a lot of government-issued IDs they can use]