Noy not exempt from poll gun ban

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino may be the most powerful man in the country but he still has to submit to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) when it comes to guns during the election period.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes yesterday said the President will not be automatically exempted from the gun ban, which will take effect beginning Jan. 13, the start of the 120-day election period.

“I think no, (he is not exempted). We’re giving exemption more to the security rather than the person himself, which means if you are a Senate president, it is not the Senate president who will be given exemption but the security,” he said in an interview.

Brillantes said even members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) are not automatically exempted from the gun ban.

“PSG personnel will have to apply individually and then we will approve their applications,” he said.

According to Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, the President’s participation in target shooting will have to be put on hold while the gun ban is in effect.

Aquino has admitted going on target shooting during weekends as part of his recreation.

“No one is above the law. Shoot fest is not tolerated when a gun ban is in effect. It is not stated in the Comelec resolution but the wisdom and morality of the resolution dictates that,” Sarmiento added.

Brillantes also said the poll body is still deciding whether airsoft guns would be covered by the ban.

He said gun ban exemptions should be filed with the Comelec’s gun ban committee headed by Commissioner Elias Yusoph.

“So many people are applying for exemption, I think around 1,000 already. So we want to clarify our rules. We will have a command conference on Jan. 11,” he said.

So far, among those who applied for exemption are Sen. Lito Lapid, Public Attorney’s Office head Persida Acosta, Zamboanga del Norte Rep. Seth Frederic Jalosjos and Bureau of Immigration spokesperson Ma. Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang.

The embassies of the United States, Vietnam, Pakistan, Iraq and Consul Agnes Huibonhoa of Gambia have also filed for gun ban exemption.

Under Comelec rules, violators of the gun ban face one to six years imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office and suspension of the right to vote.

–With Delon Porcalla, Christina Mendez