Pelaez, Radaza trade charges

CEBU, Philippines - Liberal Party mayoralty candidate Efrain Pelaez has filed a formal complaint in the Lapu-Lapu City Comelec Office accusing incumbent Mayor Paz Radaza and her slate of "illegal display and exhibition of campaign posters."

In his complaint, Pelaez claims that posters belonging to Radaza's Deretso Team appear in non-designated areas in violation of Comelec Resolution No. 9615 of the Fair Election Act.

He said he has pictures of these posters that were taken by an amateur photographer.

Radaza and her slate have three days to tear down the posters, according to Comelec rules.

But the instant Radaza's Deretso Team learned about the complaint, it immediately went to work, removing illegally placed posters.

"Gumikan sa mando sa Comelec ngadto sa mga barangay kapitan nga ipaibot o ipatangtang ang mga campaign materials nga wala sa dapit nga gitugot sa Comelec nagkasabot ang mga kapitan sa barangay nga mangibot sa mga posters nga illegal nga gibutang sa ilang mga barangay, mao nga miapil na lang pud mi kagahapon sa ilang operation "baklas," Radaza said.

Pelaez in a press conference yesterday afternoon also accused the Radaza group of transferring LP posters from designated areas to non-designated areas.

The mayor denied the allegation.

"Nganong hago-an man namo nang ilang posters nga kampante man mi nga modaug sa umaabot nga piniliay," Radaza said.

Radaza admitted having Deretso posters appearing in non-designated places but she said these were placed by passionate supporters and leaders.

Yesterday afternoon, Radaza called a press conference to announce that her party would also file a disqualification case today against Pelaez and his team for alleged violation of Comelec rules and regulation.

Radaza yesterday presented to media a video footage of the LP proclamation rally last April 14 at the Marina mall which shows food being distributed to people who were in attendance. (FREEMAN)