New Comelec Commissioner Inhibits From Bongbong Marcos’ Cases

Newly appointed Commission on Elections Commissioner George Garcia has notified the poll body’s clerk that he is formally withdrawing from participating in all pending cases filed against presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., one of his clients before his appointment to the Comelec.

“Of course I have previous relationship with my clients, marapat lang na mag-inhibit ka, ‘wag kang mag-participate. Dahil kahit paano makukulayan ang magiging decision or action mo. Ito, ‘di mo pinoprotektahan ang sarili mo. It’s really more to protect the integrity of the commission,” said Garcia, who was Marcos’ lawyer in the junked electoral protest against Vice President Leni Robredo.

Aside from the Comelec, Garcia said that he also formally withdrew from handling any cases pending before the Supreme Court, the Presidential Electoral Tribunal and the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal.

Garcia officially assumed office on Thursday, March 10, a few days after he took his oath before Commissioner Socorro Inting.

Presidential debate

Presidential candidates Sen. Panfilo Lacson and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso have formally signified their intention to participate in the Comelec’s presidential debate scheduled for March 19, spokesman James Jimenez said on his official Twitter account @jabjimenez.

Jimenez also posted the copies of commitment forms of Lacson and Moreno, issued on March 8. Both expressed their commitment to comply with health and safety protocols like submission of vaccination cards, routine rapid testing and the use of face masks at all times. There was no formal word yet from the other presidential candidates.

“The #PilipinasDebates2022 is an opportunity for the voting public to see their candidates in action, performing under pressure, and showing leadership at crunch-time,” Jimenez tweeted.

Jimenez added that presidential candidates who will skip the debate would be banned from using their e-rally platform until the end of the campaign period.

Poll workers’ 20% tax

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) is protesting the Comelec’s decision to put a 20 percent tax on their P2,000 travel allowance for the coming presidential elections, a considerable increase from the previous 5 percent tax.

“Our call is for the removal of the unreasonable tax on the already meager allowances and honoraria for those serving in the elections. Instead of answering our pleas, they unjustly increased our taxes,” ACT-National Capital Region president Vladimer Quetua said in Filipino during a picket at the Comelec main office in Manila.

The chairperson of the electoral boards will receive a P7,000 honoraria, while members of the board will receive P6,000. The Department of Education Supervisor Official will receive P5,000 and support staff will get P3,000 honoraria. ACT is demanding for tax-exempt election services honoraria and allowances.

In response, Garcia said the teachers should present their grievances before the Bureau of Internal Revenue if they can make their “proper representation.”

ACT also raised concerns over the supposed demotion of some teachers from chairperson of the electoral board to third member due to positive results in antigen tests during the training of Board of Election Inspectors. – With Romina Cabrera