No election protests filed yet - DOJ

MANILA, Philippines - No election protest has yet been filed as of yesterday before a task force comprised of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Chief State Prosecutor Claro Arellano said the DOJ hotline set up to receive election protests has not received a single call since it was put up last Sunday.

“We will act on complaints of election-related offenses if there is any,” he said.

“So far, there is none. We are still waiting for reports from our people in the provinces.”

They would continue to monitor developments in the elections and await complaints before concluding operations on Saturday, he added.

Arellano said he has ordered the Cavite prosecutor to probe the reported shootout between police and military authorities and supporters of former Cavite Rep. Joseph Emilio Abaya in front of the Bacoor police station last Monday.

“Our provincial prosecutor of Cavite is now conducting inquest on the Cavite incident,” he said.

“We are waiting reports from other field offices.”

Justice Secretary Alberto Agra has tapped state prosecutors to handle election protests under the DOJ-Comelec task force.

The DOJ has put up a 24-hour hotline that would answer queries related to the conduct of the elections until May 15.

“(The DOJ) stands firmly behind the aspiration of every Filipino for a successful first-ever automated election,” he said.

Ten DOJ prosecutors are assigned to the task force in the National Capital Region and they joined the Comelec canvassing at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Two prosecutors will be detailed in every province, and one prosecutor per city.