Valenzuela mayor wants poll officer sacked

MANILA, Philippines - Valenzuela Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking the “suspension, relief or transfer” of the city’s Commission on Elections (Comelec) officer for alleged drunk and disorderly behavior and for accusing him of cheating in the 2007 elections.

In a sworn affidavit, Gatchalian asked the Commision on Elections (Comelec) to administratively charge Lope Gayo Jr. for allegedly committing actions “prejudicial to the public service and for besmirching the reputation of the Comelec.”

Citing a police report and a letter from city police chief Senior Superintendent Ranier Idio replying to an inquiry he made, Gatchalian said Gayo was arrested last Feb. 17 at 5 p.m. by police officers from Police Community Precinct 7 for driving under the influence of liquor.

According to the police, Gayo was driving a black Honda Civic (ZNC-111) that hit a motorcycle being driven by Police Officer 3 Julieto Umblero, who was then with PO3 Hector Presentacion and PO1 Michael Saul Ramos.

Police reported that a certain “Dr. De la Pena” of the Valenzuela General Hospital confirmed that Gayo had been drinking.

The police officers said while they were at the Traffic Enforcement Unit office in Canuway West to take Gayo’s statement, Gayo disappeared then was found urinating on a door of the police car.

Presentacion confronted Gayo, who ignored him and started badmouthing the police and the mayor.

“Mayor nyo, di na mananalo yan pag di binigay ang pondo ng Comelec (Your mayor, he won’t win if the funds for the Comelec are not given),” Gayo was quoted as allegedly saying.

Gayo also allegedly asked Prosecutor Eriberto Aricheta, “Di ba totoo naman, fiscal, nagkadayaan dito (Isn’t it true, fiscal, that cheating happened here)?”

Gayo was brought for inquest on the drunken driving charge but was later released for further investigation by Aricheta.

“The foregoing actuations and statements of Gayo constitute conduct unbecoming that of a public servant. The same is further aggravated by the fact that Gayo is a Comelec election officer of Valenzuela. And being such an official, he should strive to maintain an image of impartiality and neutrality,” Gatchalian said in his affidavit.

He added that Gayo’s statements casting doubt on the integrity of the elections in the city in 2007 is absurd.

“If indeed something of that nature occurred, why did he not say something, considering that he was a member of the canvassing board?” Gatchalian said.

The STAR tried but failed to contact Gayo for comment.