Statement of Comelec on “Snap Election” in Case PH Gov’t Officials Would Resign
COMELEC – The Commission on Elections broke its silence on the possibility of a “snap election” in the Philippines.
Several officials of the Senate and the House of Representatives are accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the flood control projects. Controversial contractors Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya and Cezarah “Sarah” Discaya tagged several congressmen in the issue.
In their statement during a Senate flood probe, the Discayas accused former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, Quezon City Congressman Arjo Atayde, Marikina Cong. Marcy Teodoro, and Pasig Cong. Roman Romulo of allegedly receiving kickbacks from the government’s flood control deals.
During a flood probe conducted by the House of Representatives, dismissed Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) engineer Brice Hernandez tagged senators Jinggoy Estrada and Joel Villanueva in th flood control mess. Both senators denied the allegations.
Sen. Chiz Escudero was ousted from the Senate presidency and replaced with now-Senate President Tito Sotto. Escudero admitted to receiving a P30-million campaign donation from one of the contractors flagged by Pres. Bongbong Marcos. He is also accused of allegedly receiving a P160-million kickback from the flood control projects.
Both the Senate and the House of Representatives had a change of leadership amid the issue. Presidential cousing and Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez stepped down from the House leadership. According to him, he wants the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to be able to fully exercise their mandate to investigate.
Amid the issue, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano recently floated the idea of holding a snap election in the Philippines. Accordng to him, the resignation of the government officials will give the Filipino people a clean slare to start with.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano claimed that the snap election will include the president, the vice president, and all members of the Senate and the House of Representatives. According to him, those who are for the service of the people should not be frightened with it.
Recently, the Commission on Elections broke its silence on the possibility of holding snap election in the Philippines. Based obn a report on GMA News, Comelec chairman George Garcia explained that they cannot conduct a snap election if there is no law that would mandate it.
“Sa part ng Comelec, hindi kami makakapag-conduct ng elections o special elections nang walang batas. Kinakailangan may mandato ng batas sapagkat ang katungkulan ni Comelec ay tagapagpatupad ng isang batas sa halalan,” the Comelec Chairman said.
According to George Garcia, without a law, the Comelec cannot hold a snap election as the 1987 Constitution sets fixed term limits for the government officials. Based on the report, he further expressed that the rule of succession applies in case a permanent disability, death, removal from ofice, or resignation takes place.
“Sa atin, walang ganung klaseng provision at hindi ko alam, maaaring Saligang Batas ang babaguhin o kakayanin ng isang batas lang,” the Comelec Chairman said.
Recently, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto also reacted to Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s snap election proposal.