Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 31) – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday said it will file cases against a mayor in the Bicol region who allegedly threatened members of the electoral board to delay the proclamation of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) winners.
“Huwag daw muna mag-proclaim (nung Monday), so inatasan namin ang (Comelec) regional director that Barangay Board of Canvassers should proclaim today (Tuesday),” Comelec Chairman George Garcia told reporters on Tuesday.
[Translation: The mayor ordered to halt the proclamation on Monday, so we ordered the Comelec regional director that the Barangay Board of Canvassers should proclaim today.]
According to Comelec’s latest data, only 1.8% of votes need to be canvassed while 2.3% of BSKE winners have yet to be proclaimed.
Garcia added that the only reason the poll body sees as the reason behind the mayor’s disruption was the defeat of his bet in the election.
Garcia also said those who caused delays in the election may face criminal and administrative charges. These include the teachers and security personnel who backed out from their duty in the elections.
In Abra, 29 teachers withdrew from being members of the BSKE electoral board days before the election due to family ties with the candidates.
READ: 29 Abra teachers quit as BSKE poll workers – Comelec
Elections in three barangays in Bayang, Lanao del Sur were also delayed as election paraphernalia were delivered late in the precincts.
