Comelec seeks NBI help in probe of stolen La Union ballot boxes

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union , Philippines   – The Commission on Elections has sought assistance from the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the loss of contested election results from La Union at the Comelec’s Election Records and Statistics Division in Intramuros, Manila on July 27.

In a document obtained by The STAR, lawyer Ferdinand Rafanan, head of Comelec’s law department, informed Chairman Jose Melo that they are seeking the assistance and expertise of the NBI in the conduct of appropriate investigation.

Rafanan, in his urgent memorandum, cited matters in the investigation such as the alleged bribery committed by a certain Johnson Pagulayan, a security officer, and his attempt to broker for the unauthorized entry of some individuals in the ERSD during non-office hours.

Another is the suspicion that the ballot boxes containing election returns for La Union during the 2007 election have been tampered.

A source told The STAR that two security personnel and a property custodian of ERSD were suspended and held for questioning regarding the incident.

The incident broke on Friday at the capitol here after La Union Governor Manuel Ortega met with his political allies and announced that Melo has ordered an investigation on the matter.

Ortega said the incident was obviously done to benefit the election protest of his political opponents who want to subvert the will of the people of La Union.

“The people of La Union will not allow such a brazen act to manipulate results of the last 2007 elections,” he said.

Ortega commended Melo and the Comelec for preserving the will of the electorate in La Union and he is confident that poll officials will not tolerate such acts and punish those responsible.

Meanwhile, La Union board member Rolando Rivera told The STAR that he will file a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the matter.