Comelec sacks North and South Cotabato poll execs

The Commission on Elections en banc ordered the relief of two provincial election supervisors who failed to explain discrepancies in the certificate of canvass they submitted to the National Board of Canvassers. Commissioner Romeo Brawner announced in the NBOC open session that lawyers Lilian Radam and Yogie Martirizar are relieved of their duties as provincial election supervisors of South and North Cotabato, respectively. "The Comelec en banc ordered the relief of Atty Radam and Atty Martirizar as provincial election supervisor preparatory to the investigation to be conducted by the Commission," he said. Radam and Martirizar never appeared before the board during the hearing of the COC. Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos said they have again issued subpoenas for Radam and Martirizar and the members of their respective provincial board of canvassers. The two were ordered to appear Friday, June 1. Opposition lawyer Leila de Lima said they will be filing charges against the two and will move for their arrest if they will fail to explain the discrepancies. She earlier asked the NBC to have an official report on the discrepancies noted in the South Cotabato votes. She said some 50,000 to 100,000 votes were added to some candidates in the said province. De Lima said the two election executives should be held liable for Republic Act 9360 or electoral sabotage. "It is about time that officers like these should not be given assignments again. We have heard of them before," she said. She also asked the board to have a thorough and serious probe on the anomalies. "We assure you that. We never joke here," Abalos said. Jose Pio Joson, Comelec executive director, also on Thursday said they can no longer contact the election officials despite the subpoena issued by the NBC. He added it was their regional director, lawyer Mike Abbas, who served the summons issued by the NBC. "They should appear before the board and explain kung ano talaga ang nangyari. Imposible naming natulog sila ng diretso ng ilang araw. Dapat lumabas sila at magsabi ng mga pangyayari," he said. He said it would be better if the three would air their side and clarify things regarding the matter. - GMANews.TV