Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 29) — Two media relations officials of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) were recommended to be relieved over the canceled presidential and vice presidential debates
Commissioner Rey Bulay, who heads the task force investigating the debate mess, sought the temporary relief from duty of spokesperson James Jimenez and his deputy, Frances Arabe, after the probe body “found reasonable cause to commence a formal fact-finding and administrative disciplinary investigation.”
Jimenez is a director in the Comelec Education and Information Department (EID), a position also held by Arabe.
Bulay proposed temporary replacements to continue the duties of the two in the EID, although no names were given yet.
“To prevent disruption in the essential election operations, the elections being a few days away, Directors Jimenez and Arabe were recommended to continue other functions under the supervision of their committee heads,” he said in a statement.
READ: Comelec will no longer hold debates, sets panel interview with presidential, VP bets
The postponement was announced only a day before the original schedule. Commissioner George Garcia earlier said the commissioners only learned about the issue last week when a Sofitel representative sought help in collecting the amounts owed to them.
Bulay said he submitted his recommendation to Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan.
In his response, Arabe said he will comply with Bulay’s directive once he receives it and that he is prepared to turn over his responsibilities to the person who will temporarily take his place.
However, a March 31 letter from Sofitel addressed to Jimenez showed he was informed weeks earlier that there were issues regarding the payments. Jimenez also reportedly gave a “guaranteed vote of confidence” that the event organizer will honor its payment deadlines.
“In response to his directive dated April 22, I have duly submitted my explanation on the matter on April 25,” added Arabe. “As far as I can determine, all my actions have been aboveboard concerning the staging of presidential debates. I respect the process and have faith in the fairness of the Commission en banc.”
Comelec postponed its final debates on April 23 and 24 after event organizer Impact Hub Manila, the company behind Vote PiliPinas, failed to pay some ₱14 million to Sofitel, the event venue. Impact Hub’s total contract with Sofitel is ₱20.5 million for five debates.
Besides Bulay, members of the “Task Force Pilipinas Debates 2022 Fiasco” are the poll body’s Executive Director, Director of the Finance Services Department and Director of the Law Department. Bulay said based on the probe’s preliminary findings, they recommended that the director of the Comelec Personnel Department also be included in the team, considering that employees are involved.
“As much as possible, while the investigation is ongoing, Commissioner Bulay cannot release information on the issue to avoid a trial by publicity; to preserve the dignity of the procedures; and considering that government officials enjoy the presumption of regularity in the performance of official duties,” the statement from his office also read.
