Comelec execs face sanctions over secrecy folder deal

MANILA, Philippines – A number of Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials are facing administrative sanctions for their alleged involvement in the botched P689.7-million ballot secrecy folder deal.

Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento said that upon the recommendation of the legal department, the commission is ready to impose sanctions on those found guilty of involvement in the irregularity.

“The report will be submitted to us then we will decide based on the recommendation if we should penalize administratively those found guilty,” Sarmiento said.

He added that the Comelec is expecting the legal department headed by lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan to submit the report today.

The commissioner also hinted that the poll body is ready to reprimand the three-man investigation team headed by Rafanan if it fails anew to submit its findings today.

“I think we will decide accordingly because people are asking about the status of this investigation. We will ask the committee to fast-track the investigation because so many extensions have been given to them,” Sarmiento said.

Rafanan’s team was supposed to submit the report last week, but Sarmiento said the panel once again requested for an extension until today to complete their report on the controversy.

Earlier, the commission tasked the panel to probe the cancelled procurement of more than 1.8 million ballot secrecy folders worth P380 each from OTC Paper Supply.

The poll body intended to use the special folders in the last May polls, but eventually decided to use ordinary folders.

Poll body officials previously reported that some of their people are being investigated and the investigation panel is looking into their relationship with OTC.