Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 29) — Commission on Elections Chairman George Garcia urged other politicians not taking part in Monday’s polls to stay out of the elections, saying it would be better for them to stay impartial.
“Pakiusap ko lang sa ibang pulitiko na hindi naman tumatakbo, sana huwag nang pakialaman ‘yung barangay and SK elections. Alam niyo po kaya nagugulo dahil sa inyo. Dahil kayo ang nagfi-finance, kayo tao-tao, bata-bata niyo. Sa totoo lang. Maging impartial na kayo o neutral,” Garcia said at a briefing in Abra on Sunday.
[Translation: I ask politicians who are not even running for office to not interfere with the barangay and SK elections. Things get more troublesome because of you. Because you finance and back people. You should stay neutral or be impartial.]
Garcia said the interference of politicians is making the Comelec’s job more difficult.
“Pabayaan natin ang barangay. Pabayaan natin sila maglaban-laban. Magkakakilala ang mga ‘yan, magkakamag-anak. Nagkakasamaan na nga ng loob, madadagdagan pa dahil lang sa pag-uudyok ng mga ibang bumubulong. Huwag po sanang ganon,” he said.
