Comelec has no funds for Puerto Princesa recall process

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the suspension of the recall process against Puerto Princesa City Mayor Lucilo Bayron due to lack of funds.

In a statement Tuesday, the Comelec said it has resolved to affirm in Resolution 9864 promulgated last April 1 the recommendation of the agency’s Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations (ODEDO), certifying the sufficiency of the recall petition filed against Bayron by businessman Al Babao.

But due to “funding issues,” the Comelec deemed it necessary to suspend the recall process.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said in an interview that the ODEDO found the recall petition to be substantial in form and substance.

Jimenez said the next step should be the verification of each of the 44,000 signatures affixed on the petition.

“Step two is the verification of signatures and then step three is the actual plebiscite (recall election). The resolution states that all activities related to the suspension, includes verification,” he said.

Some P20 million is reportedly needed to verify the signatures.

According to Jimenez, the law provides that the Comelec should spend for the recall process and it could not pass the expenses to the petitioner. He could not immediately ascertain how the poll body would source the funds needed for the recall process.

The petition seeks to oust Bayron, citing loss of trust and confidence in his leadership due to alleged graft and corruption, mismanagement of the city’s economy, worsening peace and order situation, and the local energy crisis.

The signatures on the recall petition represent 31 percent of the voting population of Puerto Princesa. Under the law, such a petition must be signed by only 15 percent of registered voters in the affected locality.