Comelec fails to meet deadline to retrieve Taguig ballots

MANILA, Philippines - The four-day schedule set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for the retrieval of ballots in Taguig City lapsed yesterday, with the poll body empty-handed.

None of the 43 contested ballot boxes, which were the subject of Dante Tiñga’s poll protest against Mayor Lani Cayetano, were turned over as required by the Comelec’s first division Feb. 15 order.

According to Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, poll officials went to Taguig on Monday but backed out after learning that Cayetano’s supporters blocked their way to the city hall.

A statement from Tiñga’s camp quoted the former Supreme Court associate justice as criticizing the Comelec for being “inept.”

“Do we now have a toothless Comelec? Why have they allowed the Cayetanos to block their lawful retrieval orders? What are they afraid of?” the statement read.

Cayetano’s spokesman, Darwin Icay, said no one from the poll body coordinated with them since the start of the four-day retrieval period until 3:55 p.m. yesterday.

Icay said they “will never defy any lawful order by the Comelec.” Their security measure, he added, only intended to prevent Tiñga’s supporters or “unauthorized persons” from entering the city hall premises.