MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections on Monday defended letting supporters of presidential aide Christopher "Bong" Go into an area where only four companions are usually allowed.
Among Go's supporters when he filed his certificate of candidacy after months of denying he would run were President Rodrigo Duterte and other Cabinet officials.
Former Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre were also present to support Go, who was Duterte's aide even while mayor of Davao City.
In a press briefing after Go filed his COC for senator, Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez explained that they just relaxed the rules for Go's companions just to maintain order.
He said that was done in the "interest of orderly proceedings to just continue with the process." He said that "it would not [have been] orderly to stop proceedings just to get them out."
'The president's safety is paramount'
Jimenez said that the president's presence was also another factor. He said that Duterte had to be accompanied by his security detail.
"The safety of the president is paramount. Allowances have to be made," the Comelec official said.
The Comelec spokesman said the commission would investigate the matter as they have to find out how Go's other companions got through and how many of them there were.
"I suspect it is because of the commotion of the moment that some rules might have been relaxed," he said.
The Comelec made the clarification after some members of the media questioned the seemingly special treatment for Go.
Seats for the media were vacated ahead of Go's COC filing as requested by the Comelec and by the Presidential Security Group.