Comelec execs warn people making accusations on poll’s integrity

Some officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday called out and warned people who are making statements questioning the integrity of the conduct of the 2022 polls.

At a press conference, Commissioner Rey Bulay warned that the Comelec would seek the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to arrest these people who are causing disorder in the elections.

“Yung mga nagko-comment ng public opinion na ang Comelec ay may sina-side-an, kinakampihan at mandadaya, ako po ay nagwa-warning sa inyo,” he said.

(I am warning those who are commenting that the Comelec was taking sides, showing favors, and cheating.)

“We will not hesitate to call upon the AFP na ngayong sa panahon ito ay nasa ilalim ng kontrol ng Comelec na patulan, ipahuli, at ipakulong kayo, 'yung manggugulo sa eleksyon na ito sapagkat kami ay nasa side ng batas,” he added.

(We will not hesitate to call upon the AFP, which is currently under the control of the Comelec, to address, arrest, and put in jail those who are messing the elections because we are on the side of the law.)

In a statement read by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino during the press conference, Commissioner Socorro Inting hit the AIM Alumni for Leni  for supposedly sowing distrust in Comelec's integrity.

“The appeal of AIM for Leni calling for non-partisanship and for the holding of orderly, peaceful, and credible elections on May 9, 2022 is therefore unnecessary as it tends to sow distrust on the integrity of the Comelec,” she said.

“Casting aspersions on the Comelec and its deputized agencies, without sufficient basis, is the last thing we need now, more so that we are already in the homestretch  of the campaign. It betrays the honest and tireless efforts of our poll workers who have been sacrificing a lot just  to ensure the success of the coming polls,” she added.

For Inting, the appeal of the group subtly conditions the minds of Filipinos that the upcoming elections is not credible should Vice President Leni Robredo lose in the presidential race.

Commissioner George Garcia said the Comelec should not let these comments slide considering that they do not have basis.

“Meron din kasing statement si Commissioner Inting na sa aming palagay dapat naming pagtuunan ng pansin bilang en banc sapagkat nag-worry siya sa ilang lumalabas na statement patungkol sa nagkukwestyon ng impartiality at credibility ng Comelec,” he said.

(Commissioner Inting also has a statement because we think that the En Banc should pay attention as she was worried over some statements questioning the impartiality and credibility of the Comelec.)

GMA News Online has reached out to AIM Alumni for Leni for its comment on the matter.—AOL, GMA News