Abalos vows to help Tancangco fight impeachment complaint

Newly appointed Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos vowed yesterday to do everything within his power to help one of his commissioners hurdle possible impeachment charges.

"As father of the commission, I have to help her," Abalos said, referring to Commissioner Luzviminda Tancangco who has been accused of anomalies by the poll watchdog National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

The Comelec chief said he considers the poll body as his second family.

He clarified, however, that he would not be interfering in possible proceedings, saying Namfrel has a right to file a complaint.

"Still, this does not mean I would support that move right away," Abalos said.

Namfrel, led by national chairman Jose Concepcion Jr., began a campaign last month to gather one million signatures preparatory to the filing of impeachment charges against Tancangco in the House of Representatives.

Namfrel said Tancangco, who is commissioner-in-charge of Western Mindanao, is liable for culpable violation of the law for authorizing the release of P1 million to seven consultants and for failing to automate the Comelec despite her duties as chief of the poll body’s modernization committee.

Tancangco said her supporters, including some congressmen, are lobbying to block any impeachment raps against her. Her supporters are themselves planning to gather one million signatures to counter the impeachment complaint against her.

Tancangaco had earlier said the impeachment charges are based "solely on personality" and challenged her detractors to a full public discussion of the issues involved.

Following the announcement of his appointment as the new Comelec chairman in place of Alfredo Benipayo last June 11, Abalos vowed to clean up the poll body and improve services during his term.

He has already initiated a move to unite squabbling factions within the poll body. He also vowed to make future elections transparent, literally, with the use of transparent ballot boxes.