A BARANGAY official running for congressman in Cagayan de Oro City is currently in hot water due to his alleged involvement in the extraordinary high number of voter registrants and applicants for transfer of registration ahead of the May 2025 national and local polls.
In an interview at the sidelines of the 1st National Convention of Election Officers of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) held in Pasay City, chairman George Garcia said they are set to probe the case of an incumbent barangay official who allegedly issued a high number of barangay certifications that were used by applicants for voter registration or transfer of registration.
“There is one place where the number of registered voters really soared that will be discussed by the Comelec en banc. And the culprit there is the massive issuance of barangay certifications, wherein the barangay chairman is running for congressman,” said Garcia.
“In such a case, the Comelec won’t hesitate to take action on that particular candidate. You benefited from your own actions. Our registration process should not be bastardized,” he said.
Garcia refused to prematurely identify the barangay official but confirmed that it happened in Cagayan de Oro City.
Garcia said they want to show to everyone that the Comelec does not stand idle when irregularities happen during voter registration activities.
“We want to make an example out of this. The Comelec cannot be powerless. We can always file cases against them and we can always disqualify them,” he said.
“The Comelec must show it has the balls to prevent these kinds of irregularities… We are going to teach a lesson or two on registration of voters,” added the poll chief.
Garcia said the Commission can file an election offense case against the said barangay official for his questionable issuance of massive barangay certifications.
“That is one to six years imprisonment since it is an election offense. We will be the one to file the case. And in case of conviction, that will entail perpetual disqualification to hold public office,” he said.
“We can file a disqualification case against that candidate, who happens to be responsible over the irregularities,” he also said.
Under Section 261 (y) of the Omnibus Election Code, it is a prohibited act for any person to falsely certify or identify another as a bona fide resident of a particular place or locality “for the purpose of securing the latter’s registration as a voter.”
Meanwhile, Garcia said the Comelec is incapable of placing areas under its control with still six months before the May 2025 elections.
He made the statement on the heels of the killing of Jose Osorio who is looking to run for vice mayor of Tantangan, South Cotabato.
Osorio was found dead in his eatery last Monday.
Garcia said they cannot place Tantangan, South Cotabato under Comelec control even if it is deemed necessary since it is not yet the election period.
“The Commission still has no power, at the moment. Our mandate will only come in January when the Election Period kicks in,” he said, adding that, “as of now, we cannot place any area under Comelec Control or classify a particular area as an area of concern.”
The poll chief, though, assured that once the election period, which runs from January 12 to June 11, 2025, kicks in, they are ready to fully implement the law.
For the moment, Garcia said they are limited to just making an appeal for the immediate resolution of the case of Osorio.
“We condemn in the highest possible terms this senseless killing. (But) This is a law enforcement issue… And we hope those behind this will immediately be held accountable,” said Garcia.
