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Smartmatic DQ should ensure more transparent automated polls
A network of digital advocates is urging the Commission on elections to look at available voting technologies that will be more compatible with the Philippine election process after Commissioner George Garcia announced that the poll body has disqualified Smartmatic from all COMELEC procurement processes. Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said that the the disqualification […].....»»
COMELEC Chairman Garcia, BIR Commissioner Lumagui, Shawarma Shack Group among winners at 6th Asia Leaders Awards
The Asia Leaders Awards, dedicated to recognizing outstanding business leaders navigating challenges with unwavering determination, and who are true nation builders, highlighted Walther Buenavista's strategic leadership that has propelled Shawarma Shack Group to the top of the franchising sector......»»
OSG backs Comelec on Guanzon party-list substitution
The Commission on Elections did not commit grave abuse of discretion when it allowed former Comelec commissioner Rowena Guanzon as a substitute nominee for a party-list group for persons with disabilities, the Office of the Solicitor General said yesterday......»»
Mandaue, Carcarbets ‘disqualified’
The Commission on Elections has “disqualified” two reelectionist barangay chairmen in the cities of Mandaue and Carcar. The omnibus order, signed by Presiding Commissioner Socorro Inting and Commissioners Aimee Ferolino and Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., was issued last 25 October. “Disqualified” were Barangay Maguikay, Mandaue chairman Eduardo Gumera, and Barangay Valladolid, Carcar chairman Anthony John Apura. The order cited criminal complaints allegedly filed or decided against the two candidates. Gumera told the media that the issue was only a political motive for his opponent. He said he was not affected by the “disqualification” news. Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Lionel Marco Castillano told the Daily Tribune that the order was not to disqualify Gumera. The post Mandaue, Carcarbets ‘disqualified’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
COMELEC disqualifies QC SK chairman candidate for ‘vote buying’
A candidate for Sangguniang Kabataan chairmanship in Quezon City was disqualified by the Commission on Elections over 'vote buying' charges. In a seven-page resolution issued on 26 October 2023 and signed by COMELEC's Second Division Presiding Commissioner Marlon Casquejo, concurred by Commissioners Rey Bulay and Nelson Celis, noted that SK candidate Judielyn Bartolome Francisco of Barangay San Bartolome was "disqualified" to run for the upcoming BSKE elections as she violated Section 68 (a) of the Omnibus Elections Code for "vote buying". The case stemmed from a petition filed by Arjay Lacsa on 26 September this year, who claimed that Francisco engaged in vote buying by sponsoring and funding a leadership seminar "cum" team building of some 80 youths of their village at Paradise Adventure Camp in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan held on 16 and 17 September 2023, a few weeks after the filing of candidacies. Pieces of evidence presented by Lacsa included social media posts of the participants themselves tagging Francisco as their " future SK chairman" and three affidavits of witnesses who claimed that Francisco was even present in that event. On 5 October, the COMELEC summoned Francisco to explain her side who gave her reply on 9 October saying she did not have the resources to fund the gathering while she also admitted being there as a host for the opening program "in return for a professional fee." She also informed the commission that she also filed perjury charges against Lacsa's witnesses at the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office. The commission, however, concluded that they "are not convinced" as Francisco's lengthy answer reveals that "they are in the nature of general denials emanating from respondent's self-serving and uncorroborated statements." The affidavits of Lacsa's witnesses, the commission added, are "rich in details" and the evidence is pointing to Francisco as the host of the team building. Francisco's involvement is a deliberate and strategic scheme to influence the voters of Barangay San Bartolome to vote for her, the commission's resolution read. The post COMELEC disqualifies QC SK chairman candidate for ‘vote buying’ appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Solon wants Comelec to look into AI-enhanced campaign materials
Election candidates trying to impress voters by using artificial intelligence could be a form of dishonest campaigning, Senator Francis Tolentino stressed on Saturday. The senator lamented, “The issue of using artificial intelligence in the election campaign and propaganda materials and requested further study for future policy formulation as apps that change facial impressions of individuals proliferate that may violate the principle of truthfulness.” Tolentino believes that using AI in campaign paraphernalia should be covered by the Commission on Elections. He said he looks forward to Comelec policy "regarding the use of AI in producing campaign and software materials for the elections, especially on the question of what picture must be allowed: the candidate looks at present or the looks the voters wanted to see.” The senator then cited the Department of National Defense memorandum, which was made public on Friday, prohibiting its employees and military personnel from using AI image generator applications. In his order, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr warned that AI-powered applications seemed “harmless and amusing” but could be “maliciously used” to create fake profiles that can lead to identity theft, social media engineering, phishing attacks, and other erring activities which compromise someone’s personal data. Comelec Commissioner Rey Bulay backed Tolentino’s suggestion, but he noted that the green light to impose the AI restrictions in the coverage of campaign materials will still be up to the consensus of the poll body’s chairperson and other commissioners. Bulay added that those guidelines and policies on the use of AI in producing election materials, whether printed or digital in form, could be put in place for the 2025 mid-term elections. He emphasized that AI usage might fall under the election guidelines on "misrepresentation" but also stressed that he doesn't "want to preempt my chairman and fellow commissioners.” “Pero napakaganda po ng iyong sinabi Pwede pong humabol yon sa 2025 (It can be timed in 2025),” Bulay told Tolentino. “The concept of misrepresentation is also included in the principle of truth in advertising…something along this line,” he added. The post Solon wants Comelec to look into AI-enhanced campaign materials appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions
The Commission on Elections has begun filing petitions against the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections candidates allegedly involved in vote buying on 6 October. Out of the 40 complaints being investigated, the Comelec poll board submitted five disqualification petitions, according to Comelec Deputy Executive for Operations Rafael Olano. He added that the Committee on Vote Buying has received complaints from the public on various platforms, including Facebook and messages which contained screenshots or images. "All of these complaints came from voters. We verified and evaluated them for possible filing of disqualification cases “he said. Olano confirmed that one of the five candidates under investigation for disqualification is involved in a BSK bet showing up at a local government unit aid distribution, which he claimed to be qualified as vote buying. “There were local government officials, mayors distributing relief but the BSKE candidate was present and was allowed to speak," he said. After the official filing of candidacy, it was claimed that another BSK candidate distributed financial aid out of his pocket. Prior to the election, the poll body warned candidates of its strict measures which prohibit the distribution of ballers, t-shirts, caps, and anything else of worth under the suspicion of vote buying and selling. Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. reminded LGU officials to be aware of such prohibitions during a separate briefing. "If they conduct assistance programs, they should not let BSKE candidates join them, lest they be disqualified,” he said. Maceda added that the Comelec would consider potential reinforcing techniques if similar incidents persist as the campaign period drew closer. “We will study how to reprimand them or take appropriate actions,” he said. In the end, Maceda stressed that the poll body is “dead serious” about its exclusion warning in order to assure not just the validity and honesty of the BSK polls but also to raise the bar for campaigning standards across the nation and the importance of each BSK candidate’s character. As of Friday, the Task Force Anti-Epal had filed an additional 10 disqualification petitions against candidates who were allegedly involved in premature campaigning while the Committee on Kontra Bigay had filed five disqualification cases for vote buying. Overall, there are 82 petitions for premature campaigning, 5,169 show cause orders, and 1,132 responses from the BSK bets. The post 5 vote buying DQ cases filed by Comelec, warns LGU of prohibitions appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
DND, AFP, Comelec sign pact for orderly barangay, SK elections
The Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday signed an agreement with the Commission on Elections to ensure peaceful and orderly barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections nationwide on 30 October. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. signed the pact with Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia at the DND headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City. The signing was also witnessed by AFP Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. and Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr., who is in charge of the Committee on Kontra Bigay. The Committee on Kontra Bigay aims to combat the “deplorable practice of vote buying”, which Teodoro said continues to pollute the country’s democracy. “Ang tao, naiimpluwensyahan ng mga bagay na hindi kanais-nais. Kaya po ang fault niyan ay nasa namimigay,” he said. On the other hand, Brawner signed a separate memorandum of understanding with Garcia allowing Comelec to deputize AFP personnel to ensure free, orderly and peaceful barangay elections. At the sidelines of the MOA signing, the Comelec handed over a check to AFP amounting to P40 million in support of the military’s administrative, operational and logistical needs "as they perform their functions relative to the upcoming BSK elections." The post DND, AFP, Comelec sign pact for orderly barangay, SK elections appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Addressing vote-buying
It seems that the present Commission on Elections is not running out of ideas on how to effect reforms. It is not “sleeping on their post” as sentinels used to say. It continues to pursue changes in the electoral landscape unmindful of negative social and political headwinds. I just wrote about its speedy action of placing Malabang, Lanao del Sur under Comelec control because of the indiscriminate firing of guns on the first day of filing of certificates of candidacy. Now, it’s tackling the mother of election irregularities — vote buying and vote selling. This illegal practice is anti-democratic. It continues to be the bane of elections. It restricts one’s freedom to choose one’s leaders. That it thrives as endemic in a political milieu like the Philippines is a testament to how difficult life is for the common people. Financial need, especially for those on the margins of society, is so chronic that people are willing to sacrifice their basic freedoms to make ends meet. This is a problem almost beyond solution because of the difficulty of punishing the wrongdoers, both the buyer and seller. We have laws punishing it but prosecutors can only build a case against a suspect with the participation of at least one of the accomplices to the crime. And who would want to testify against oneself unless immunity is assured? And so, we see a mockery of the law. No one gets jailed for violating it. The proactive Comelec comes now with a bagful of measures to combat the anomaly. It has created a special group, the Committee on Kontra Bigay, to address the problem and it is helmed by a no-nonsense reformist, Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr., the namesake of a great and astute statesman who served the country in various capacities for decades. I say he is the right choice, not only because of the reputation he has built, but more so because of the weight of the name he carries which he would not want to taint with a whiff of wrongdoing. The Commission has listed a litany of prohibitive acts associated with vote-buying. It’s too long to list in this limited space. But on top of these are acts and activities “presumed” to be illegal because they lead to the commission of the crime. These include “possessing or delivery of... monies or anything of value together with sample ballots or other campaign materials... queues of registered voters for the distribution of money... and such other goods... employing the hakot system or the gathering of two or more registered voters in a specific place before election day and on election day ...prohibiting the possession... carrying of cash exceeding P500,000 along with campaign paraphernalia two days before an election and on election day... an ‘ayuda’ ban except that which is normally given to qualified individuals...” It also created the Kontra Bigay Complaint Center which will receive complaints of vote-buying. For human rights guardians, consider this: the Comelec allows “warrantless arrest wherein any law enforcement officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person when in his or her presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is committing, or is attempting to commit the election offense of vote-buying.” Wow! A case arising out of these acts is fertile ground for legal hermeneutics. Any two-bit lawyer can find a “palusot” in this scenario. It may be extremely difficult to prove all these by evidence but it’s surely a theoretical force to deter the commission of the crime. And let it not be said that the present Commission did not lift a finger to combat this perennial problem which everyone talks about but was never addressed by past commissions. For this reason, the present Commission deserves our appreciation for a bold ambitious move. amb_mac_lanto@yahoo.com The post Addressing vote-buying appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Vote-buyers’ arrest sans warrant soon
Persons engaged in vote-buying or vote-selling may soon be arrested sans a warrant. This as the Commission on Elections is set to come out this month with new rules on vote-buying and vote-selling including citizen’s arrest of violators. Atty. John Rex Laudiangco, Comelec spokesperson, during Wednesday’s Laging Handa press briefing in Malacañang, said a temporary committee was revitalized into Committee on Anti-Kontra Bigay headed by Commissioner Ernesto Ferdinand Maceda Jr. The guidelines, Laudiangco said, will aid law enforcement and prosecution officials in pinning down those who would engage in vote-buying or vote-selling, during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections in October. “The resolution on this is coming out in the coming week and it will be a deterrent to those planning to violate Section 261-A of the Omnibus Election Code,” he said. Comelec chairperson George Garcia, during the signing of a memorandum of agreement with the Philippine National Police and Philippine Coast Guard, said the rules may include warrantless arrest. Comelec, PNP and PCG committed to doing their best for fair and peaceful elections on 30 October. He issued a warning to stop the practice of vote-buying as a warrantless arrest will be implemented starting the campaign of the BSK elections. “In the guidelines that we will issue, we will allow the PNP to arrest if the person is caught in the act. We will authorize that now with the full backing of the Comelec because it is our belief that under our Constitution a warrantless arrest is allowed,” he said. Garcia said these revisions are needed because of the changing times and stop the long-time practice of vote-buying. The post Vote-buyers’ arrest sans warrant soon appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Jay Khonghun ipinagtanggol si Aiko, pumili kayo: public official na nagti-TikTok o nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan?
NILINAW ng boyfriend ni 5th district Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez na si Zambales 1st district Rep. Jay Khonghun ang pahayag ni dating COMELEC Commissioner Rowena Guanzon na ang viral TikTok video ay kinunan sa Plenary Hall ng House of Representatives. Base sa inilabas na statement ni Cong. Jay, “In light of the recent news […] The post Jay Khonghun ipinagtanggol si Aiko, pumili kayo: public official na nagti-TikTok o nagnanakaw sa kaban ng bayan? appeared first on Bandera......»»
Comelec warns vs spending public funds during BSKE campaign period
The Commission on Elections on Thursday reminded incumbent local politicians that spending public funds during the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections campaign period on 19 to 28 October is prohibited by law. Speaking to reporters in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte during the Comelec’s three-day meeting there, chairman George Erwin Garcia warned that violators of the law may face criminal charges or disqualify guilty parties from the elections. Section 261(v) of the Omnibus Election Code prohibits public officials and employees from using and spending public funds for public works and other expenses provided under the provision during the election period. Garcia also reminded that only incumbent local officials are allowed to campaign for their respective BSKE bets and not government and civil service employees. Political parties are also not allowed to endorse candidates and candidates are not allowed to represent political parties. “We can’t prevent their campaign and endorsement, but there are limitations with the use of public funds,” he added. Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner Ernesto Maceda Jr. said there is a need for ways to make parties guilty of vote buying and other illegal acts accountable under election rules or Section 261 of the OEC. Maceda said the current election laws are insufficient, making it hard for authorities to determine the gravity of vote buying and other anomalies. “Our present legal framework or structure is insufficient. It’s easy to complain but hard to prove.... It’s not because of any inadequacy on the part of the persons who made this effort, but because the requirement of proving something like this, which is a crime, is the same as proving any other crime,” Maceda said. The post Comelec warns vs spending public funds during BSKE campaign period appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Gun ban exemption applications kick off
The Commission on Elections will now start accepting early applications for exemptions on the prohibition to carry firearms ahead of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections, which would take effect from 28 August to 29 November. The procedure, which will be done electronically, is intended to avoid delays in the processing of applications and ensuring that exemptions will be given to appropriate individuals. Section 2 of Comelec Resolution Number 10918 states that people without authorization by the poll body, through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns will not be allowed to “bear, carry or transport firearms or deadly weapons outside his/her residence or place of business, and in all public places (…) even if he/she is licensed or authorized to possess or to carry the same.” In this case, those who wish to apply for an exemption shall file their CBFSC Form Number 2023-01 which, among other things, provide the names of people and the specifications of firearms they have in possession. However, Section 14 of the same resolution provided automatic full exemption to the President and Vice President, members of the Upper and Lower Houses of Congress, members of the national and local courts and the Office of the Ombudsman, high officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and officials from Comelec. Yet, the said exemption is granted upon presenting valid licenses, permits and certificate of firearm registration recognized by the poll body. Comelec commissioner Aimee Ferolino previously said that they have not been anticipating mass applications for exemption, adding that there’s no massive threat ahead of the BSKE, which is scheduled on 30 October. The post Gun ban exemption applications kick off appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec urged: Probe campaign donors
The Commission on Elections has been urged to investigate campaign donations during last year’s national and local elections following a report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism on Friday which revealed some donations for senatorial candidates that are either from government contractors or that exceeded the prescribed amount of campaign donations as set by the poll body. The report named Senator Joel Villanueva, a candidate at the time, who allegedly received P20 million worth of campaign donations from a company, which has an existing P2.147-billion contract with the National Housing Authority for the ongoing construction of a 19-story building which is valid until 2025. Former Comelec commissioner Luie Guia, who was interviewed by PCIJ in its report, said that the poll body has the power to hold Villanueva’s camp liable over the donation, which is prohibited under Section 95(c) of the Omnibus Election Code. To recall, the provision in the OEC states that “natural and juridical persons who hold contracts or subcontracts to supply the government or any of its divisions, subdivisions or instrumentalities, with goods or services or to perform construction or other works,” are barred from providing campaign donations. “In this case, this is a criminal offense and Comelec is duty-bound to hold those who might have committed violations of the election laws to account,” said Guia. Daily Tribune has reached out to Villanueva’s camp for a comment, but has not responded. The PCIJ also noted some donations that exceed the prescribed limit of five percent of an entity’s taxable income in one tax year, flagging the likes of Creative Pacific Corporation whose ‘in-kind donation’ to senatorial candidate Richard Gordon is six times the allowable limit by the corporation. Daily Tribune has also sought comment from Comelec, but its spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said that they have already referred it to their Campaign Finance Office. The post Comelec urged: Probe campaign donors appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Cops gear up for Barangay, SK polls
The Philippine National Police is making early preparations to assume election duties as a deputized agency of the Commission on Elections for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections scheduled on 30 October 2023. PNP chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. said the Comelec Committee on the Ban on Firearm and Security Concerns convened it first meeting last 9 May 2023 presided by Commissioner Aimee P. Ferolino, CBFSC chairperson, with representatives from the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. He said that all operational planning and preparatory activities of the PNP are guided by Comelec Resolution 10902 that approved the calendar of activities for the 2023 Barangay and SK polls. Pursuant to Comelec Resolution 10902, the 90-day election period for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election will commence on 28 August 2023 with the start of the period for filing of Certificates of Candidacy. Acorda said the PNP will strictly enforce all prohibited acts during the entire 90-day election period as enumerated under the Omnibus Election Code and Resolutions passed by the Comelec. “These prohibited acts include the bearing, carrying, or transporting firearms or other deadly weapons in public places including any building, street, park, private vehicle, or public conveyance, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec and also prohibited during this period is the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates,” said Acorda. Upon the request of Commissioner Ferolino, Acorda said the PNP is making some adjustments on administrative procedures and technical requirements in the processing of Comelec authority for exemption. The joint Comelec-PNP-AFP committee is set to hold a media event on 22 May 2023 to formally launch the information campaign for the 2023 Barangay and SK elections. Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said they will beef up their efforts in ensuring the peaceful and orderly conduct of the barangay and SK polls. “As we speak, our Directorate for Operation is closely coordinating with Comelec, but as of now we don’t have yet the figures as to the number of election areas of concerns that will be included in the color category, the yellow, green, orange and red,” Fajardo said. “We also expect this coming barangay elections although we know it will be quite hot when it comes to the local election that’s why this early the PNP prepared including the other security forces to make sure all risk factors will be determined as early as now so that those who are best practices and other police strategies to ensure that we have safe and secure elections will be implemented even prior to the declaration of the election period,” she added. The post Cops gear up for Barangay, SK polls appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Comelec denies ordering Guanzon oath-taking
The Commission on Elections yesterday disowned a press release stating that its former commissioner, Rowena Guanzon, and two other party-list representatives would be proclaimed and take their oath today......»»
Comelec says law needed to go after trolls, disinfo during election campaigns
Comelec commissioner Efraim Bag-id, who also heads the electoral body’s Campaign Finance Office, said that it could better enforce rules on the fair use of social media during elections and “fill the gaps of policy” with the passage of House Bill 2820 or the Internet and Social Media Regulation for Fair Elections Act......»»
Ernesto Maceda Jr. appointed Comelec commissioner
Comelec on Thursday said it received Maceda’s appointment papers and commissioner Nelson Celis’ documents for his reappointment......»»
Clean, automated polls advocate named Comelec commissioner
MANILA - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has named Nelson Celis as the newest commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).Comelec chairperson George Garcia shared a copy of Celis' appointment paper to reporters on Monday.Celis will be replacing Aimee Torrefranca-Ne.....»»
Clean, automated polls advocate named Comelec commissioner
MANILA - President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has named Nelson Celis as the newest commissioner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).Comelec chairperson George Garcia shared a copy of Celis' appointment paper to reporters on Monday.Celis will be replacing Aimee Torrefranca-Ne.....»»