Comelec summons Erice, Teodoro couple

MANILA, Philippines — For uttering discriminatory remarks, former Caloocan congressman Edgar Erice may be barred from running as representative of the city’s second district in the midterm elections on May 12. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has issued a show-cause order directing Erice to explain why he should not be disqualified and charged with an election offense.

In April, Erice was recorded on video making utterances against women, which are considered discriminatory and a form of gender harassment.

“You are hereby ordered to show cause in writing within a non-extendible period of three days to explain why a petition for disqualification should not be filed against you,” the Comelec Task Force SAFE said in a three-page order.

The Comelec previously ordered the disqualification of Erice for allegedly spreading false information against the poll body.

Erice obtained a reprieve from the Supreme Court, which stopped the Comelec from implementing the ruling.

Vote buying

Meanwhile, a complaint for vote buying and abuse of state resources has been filed with the Comelec against Marikina Mayor Marcelino Teodoro and his wife, Rep. Maan Teodoro.

The poll body’s Kontra Bigay committee issued show-cause orders directing the Teodoro couple to explain why they should not be disqualified from the elections.

The Teodoros are seeking to swap posts in the midterm polls.

They allegedly distributed P2,000 to Marikina residents during ayuda payouts in exchange for votes.

They were given three days to answer the allegations.

Included in the complaint are sworn affidavits of eight people who received cash and video showing the alleged vote buying activities.

The Teodoros have yet to comment on the complaint filed against them.

Ballot  deployment

The last shipment of 7.5 million official ballots to be used for the upcoming midterm polls was deployed yesterday to different local treasurers’ offices in Metro Manila.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the distribution of ballots in the metropolis is expected to be completed today.

Garcia advised candidates, political parties and other stakeholders to send their representatives to the local treasurers’ offices to know where the ballots will be stored for safekeeping.

The distribution of ballots to members of the Electoral Boards in Metro Manila will begin on Sunday, according to Garcia.

The Comelec has not encountered any untoward incident in the distribution of ballots and other election paraphernalia.

Garcia said the final test and sealing of the automated counting machines are set to be completed today, although fewer polling precincts have requested for a one-day extension to complete the requirement.

The poll body, Garcia said, has not received any reports about teachers not wanting to perform election duties.

Schools that will be used as polling precincts are being closely monitored, he said. –  Jose Rodel Clapano