Gwen backs complaint for electoral sabotage

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Gwendolyn Garcia yesterday announced her support on the plan of businessman Glenn Soco to file a case for electoral sabotage against those allegedly involved in the “irregularities” in the 2010 elections.

Soco, who ran as Garcia’s vice governor, lost to the late Gregorio Sanchez Jr.

Garcia wants the Mandaue City Treasurer’s Office to be investigated being the custodian of the ballot boxes and other election paraphernalia that were allegedly tampered with before being transported to the Commission on Elections in Manila. They were transported to the capital for revision in relation to the election protest Soco had filed against Sanchez.

Garcia said the statement of Mandaue City Treasurer Regal Oliva that the ongoing One Cebu Expo at the Cebu International Convention Center has no permit prompted her to back Soco’s plan to file the electoral sabotage case.

Oliva, however, was not yet the treasurer of Mandaue City during last year’s election and until such time the ballot boxes and election paraphernalia were transported to Manila last April. He assumed as city treasurer last June 2011.

Soco’s lawyer George Garcia earlier announced that “glaring discrepancies” were found when the ballot boxes from Mandaue City were opened. Some of alleged discrepancies reportedly include the absence of election returns, as well as the minutes of votes and other vital documents which should have inside the ballot boxes.

“It is interesting to note that these ballot boxes while awaiting transport to the Comelec head office were in fact under the custody of the city treasurer,” Garcia said.

In all cases, all the ballot boxes are under the custody of city and municipal treasurers and not the Commission on Elections.

“I am asking my lawyers now to look into the possibility as well of filing appropriate charges against those responsible for these irregular acts which should constitute electoral sabotage,” Garcia said.

Garcia was not able to comment on the alleged irregularities earlier as she had to attend to the activities of the 442nd Founding Anniversary of the Province of Cebu last week.

“It’s good since the Mandaue City treasurer has been wanting to hug headlines. I was just reminded. It seems we are on the subject of the Mandaue City Treasurer, let us take up this related issue,” Garcia said.

Garcia contended that the custodian of the ballot boxes has the responsibility to see to it that all documents should be inside the boxes when transported to the Comelec for revision.

“We will join now the camp of protestant vice gubernatorial candidate Soco in asking for an investigation and if necessary the proper election offense charges be filed,” said Garcia’s lawyer, Rory Jon Sepulveda.

Sepulveda said he will be closely coordinate with Soco’s lawyer on the matter.

Soco’s lawyer earlier said only the Comelec can announce the official result, which is contrary to the claim of Sanchez’s camp that the late vice governor’s victory in last year’s elections has been affirmed by the commission.

Soco filed an election protest against Sanchez, claiming to be the duly elected vice governor of the province.  (FREEMAN)