Poll watchdog to govt : File cases vs pork scam players

MANILA, Philippines - A Church-based election watchdog on Wednesday called on the Aquino administration to file raps against legislators and government officials involved in the pork barrel scam to avoid trial  by publicity.

Henrietta de Villa, chairperson of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, said that based on the rule of law, those accused remain innocent until proven otherwise.

"Hindi maganda na maraming lumilitaw na pangalan ng mga tao na sangkot sa anomalya. Nagkakaroon ng trial by publicity kaya kung may ebidensyang hawak ay sampahan na ng kaso. Kesa kung anu-anong listahan. Para din sa amin sa voters education at hindi magugulo ang mga tao," De Villa told Radyo Veritas.

She said that one of the programs of the PPCRV  is voters' education which encourages people to elect candidates who have not been implicated in anomalies.

Meanwhile, Maricor Akol, council member of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections, said the government should address the  political crisis before the people decide to boycott the 2016 national polls.

"Dapat ma-resolve kaagad para makita nila that justice is being carried out, otherwise people will lose faith in government and that is what we don’t want,"Akol said.