A DISQUALIFICATION complaint has been filed against Benguet vice governor Ericson “Tagel” Felipe, who is running for congressman in the May 12 polls, for allegedly using a government vehicle to influence voters in favor of his candidacy.
In a six-page petition for disqualification, Ralph Robim Tan said Felipe must be disqualified as a candidate for allegedly violating provisions of the Omnibus Election Code (OEC), particularly Section 68.
“All things considered, the foregoing facts and legal grounds establish substantial evidence that the respondent should be disqualified from candidacy for the position of Congressman for the lone district of Benguet,” Tan said in his petition filed last Friday.
“Wherefore, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed that this Honorable Commission render judgment disqualifying the respondent Ericson ‘Tagel’ L. Felipe to run as congressman of the lone district of Benguet, and his certificate of candidacy be cancelled and declared null and void for performing prohibited acts of candidates before the elections in violation of the Omnibus Election Code and election laws and jurisprudence,” he added.
Tan alleged that Felipe violated the law for supposedly using a government vehicle bearing the markings “For Official Use Only,” which was purportedly concealed by a magnetic signage labeled as “Good Governance Benguet,” for the transportation of voters around the province of Benguet and in Baguio City.
“Stated plainly, the act of transporting voters using the subject vehicle constitutes the grant of material consideration intended to induce, influence, or corrupt their judgment in favor of the Respondent’s candidacy for congressman during the elections,” he said.
Under the law, any candidate may be disqualified if found guilty of giving money or other material consideration to influence, induce, or corrupt the voters.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) en banc has issued Resolution No. 11135, allowing the use of AFP personnel as members of the Special Electoral Boards (SEB) if no other personnel will be available to serve on Election Day in polling precincts.
The resolution said that “the AFP shall serve (as SEB) only as a last resort.”
Elections chairman George Garcia said PNP personnel may also be tapped as SEB members.
Garcia said they have asked the PNP leadership to prepare over 4,000 policemen for possible deployment as SEB members on May 12.
“The PNP was able to train and prepare 9,000 members, which is more than double of our requested number,” he said.
Under the guidelines set by the Comelec, PNP or AFP personnel may be deployed as SEB members if the peace and order situation in an area requires their deployment as determined by the poll body.
Under such scenarios, the Comelec said the deployment of PNP and AFP as SEB members shall be under the operational command and control of the Comelec.
It also reiterated that PNP and AFP personnel may be deployed when there are no other qualified, willing, and available persons to render election service in the affected area.
Lastly, the Comelec said the PNP and AFP personnel may be deployed if the area is categorized as “Red Election Area of Concern” and/or declared under Comelec Control.
It said members of the military and police force who shall serve as chairperson and members of SEBs shall receive an honoraria of P12,000 and P11,000, respectively.
It also said that a minimum of five days service or leave credit shall accrue to the PNP and AFP personnel who will serve in the SEBs.
