THE Task Force “Baklas” of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has sought the disqualification of one independent senatorial candidate and 23 local bets from the May 12 national and local midterm elections for violation of the poll body’s guidelines on campaign materials.
The list is led by Valenzuela Rep. Eric Martinez, who is seeking a Senate seat.
The task force filed separate petitions against Martinez, as well as two bets for governor, one for provincial board member, two for mayor, four for vice mayor, and 14 for councilor.
“Our Task Force Baklas has been forced to file disqualification cases against these candidates because we have asked them repeatedly to remove their illegal campaign materials and yet they continue to defy us,” Elections chairman George Garcia said in a media forum in Manila.
Garcia said three notices were sent to the 24 candidates, which they ignored.
Aside from Martinez, facing disqualification cases are gubernatorial bets Salvador Violago (Bulacan) and Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado (Bulacan); provincial board member aspirant Shiwen Lim (Pampanga), mayoral bets Christopher Clemente (Baliwag, Bulacan) and Maria Lourdes Alejandrino (Arayat, Pampanga); and vice mayoral candidates Jeca Villanueva (Taytay, Rizal), Niño Magno (Manila City), Angela Atienza (Manila City), and Jose Daluz (Cebu City).
The task force also wants the following candidates for councilor disqualified: Estregan Cayton (Taytay, Rizal), Allan Onofre (Mexico, Pampanga), Ronaldo Tibayan (Pulilan, Bulacan), John Vijandre (San Juan City), Gerardo Gamez (Manila City), Raco del Rosario (Angeles City, Pampanga), Gerald Cruz (Taytay, Rizal), Jan Francisco (Taytay, Rizal), Emmanuel Gonzaga (Taytay, Rizal), Inigo Jurado (Taytay, Rizal), Jan Lopez (Taytay, Rizal), Ronwaldo Angeles (Pasig City), Elimar Ventura (Mexico, Pampanga), and Niko Gonzales (Magalang, Pampanga).
Garcia said they expect more petitions for disqualification to be filed in the coming days.
“Until Monday, we can file disqualification cases concerning violations of illegal campaign materials,” he said.
ABUSE OF STATE RESOURCES
In a related development, Batangas (2nd District) Rep. Jinky Bitrics Luistro, who is seeking reelection, is facing a possible election offense case after she accused of abusing state resources (ASR).
In a verified complaint filed with the Comelec, complainant Raneo Abu alleged that Luistro was present during the distribution of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) in several campaign activities in Batangas.
“On two separate occasions during the official campaign period, and in the course of scheduled campaign activities, Jinky Bitrics Luistro, a candidate for public office, made public appearances during the distribution of the government financial assistance, AICS,” Abu alleged.
“Her campaign events were designed to coincide with these pay-out, where she not only delivered speeches to convince people to vote for her, but also attributed the said distribution to herself,” he added.
The complainant said such acts are clearly ASR acts as she unduly influences public perception by “making it appear that beneficiaries of the government program owe their receipt of aid to her.”
“Luistro directly used her position and official power to induce, influence, and manipulate the voters and ultimately undermines the electoral system, which is detrimental to democratic governance,” he said.
