Brillantes to banks: Comelec won't take advice of anybody

Commission on Elections chairman Sixto Brillantes on Wednesday insisted the poll body would not be entertaining any advice from anybody about the so-called "money ban," even from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). In an interview with reporters right before oral arguments at the Supreme Court in Manila, Brillantes confirmed that the BSP had indeed written him a letter suggesting that the poll body not push through with the ban on huge cash withdrawals before the elections. "May formal letter ang BSP sa amin. Sabi nila if it was possible not to implement the ban. Hindi nila sinasabi na huwag. Ang sinasasabi nila, ang sentiment nila, ang feeling nila, huwag i-implement," Brillantes said. "I don't think we should take the advice of anybody. We are an independent body," the poll chief added. Asked what the Comelec would do in case banks defy the "money ban," Brillantes said: "They are still prohibited from allowing transactions of P100,000 [and above]." Brillantes however admitted the "money ban" policy has not yet been finalized. "Hindi ko alam kung itutuloy o hindi. Pinaguusapan pa namin whether we should recall, amend or supplement or simply retain it," said Brillantes, who had just come from a meeting with other Comelec commissioners before proceeding to the Supreme Court. He said he would be returning to the Comelec meeting after Wednesday's SC oral arguments. Meanwhile, Brillantes also advised election lawyer Romulo Macalintal not to tell the Comelec what to do. Macalintal earlier said the money ban was illegal because it should have been published first in the newspapers seven days before its implementation. "Alam din namin ang publication rules. Hindi kami dapat turuan ni Macalintal sa publication rules. Kung ipa-publish namin iyon kahapon, mag-aantay pa ng 7 days. Eh tapos na ang eleksyon noon, aanuhin pa yun," he added. Brillantes said that while he has been hearing a lot of criticism about the "money ban," he has likewise been getting positive feedback about it. He advised critics of the controversial policy to read the Comelec resolution carefully and thouroughly before weighing in on the matter. "Ang aking feeling, sila ay nagko-comment after isang basa ng resolution. Kami, two months ago pa namin pinag-aralan yan. So how can they say it's crazy if they just read it today or yesterday," Brillantes said. On Tuesday, the Comelec issued Resolution 9688, which disallows cash withdrawals exceeding P100,000 per day beginning Wednesday until Election Day on May 13. The policy aims to fight vote-buying. However, withdrawals above P100,000 using other methods like wire transfers are not prohibited. Earlier, the BSP joined those voicing concerns over the money ban. In a statement, the BSP said that while it supports the Comelec's aim to ensure clean and honest polls, it believes that such limits may not be the best way. The BSP said limiting cash withdrawals and check clearing beyond P100,000 may disrupt normal business and commercial  transactions in the Philippines. Justice Secretary Leila De Lima earlier told reporters that the ban seemed "over-inclusive" similar to the "overbreadth doctrine," in violation of the equal protection clause. "Precisely due to such over inclusion, the implementation of this resolution may have unintended dire or negative consequences that may ar outweigh the benefits," De Lima added. The Justice chief expressed fears that the ban would have an adverse affect on the regular spending of the candidates for their respective bids. "Doesn't the Comelec realize that candidates and political parties have legitimate expenses at this stage of the election period up to the election  day that need to be transacted in cash, such as poll watchers' fees?" she said. — BM, GMA News