Comelec spox says torn ballots in viral video were 'unused'

The Commission on Elections (Comelec), citing police reports, on Thursday said the papers that were seen being ripped up in a viral video are "unused ballots."

However, the poll body said it will still wait for the official investigation report from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

"'Yun pong sa tearing up of the ballots yung video na nakita natin, the PNP had already spoken, although we have yet to receive the official report, it aligned likewise in my initial perception na lumalabas po yun po yung unused ballots," Rex Laudinago, acting Comelec spokesperson, said in a press conference.

"That is the first explanation nila kasi nga po kitang-kita na 'yung mga pulis alam nila na bini-videohan sila hindi po nagtatago, in fact, tinuruan pa ng isang kasamahan niya na 'Hindi ganyan ang pagpunit, ganito,' but then again, we have to wait for the official investigation and upon submission to us, we will be releasing that," he added.

On Wednesday, Laudiangco said investigation is underway on the viral video allegedly showing shaded ballots being torn by men in police uniforms in Cotabato.

He added that Comelec Commissioner George Garcia will sign the referral or endorsement of the issue to the National Bureau of Investigation.

Laudiangco urged the public to prepare complete details in reporting vote-buying incidents.

"Mayroon lang po kaming request, ganito po kasi since the primary jumping off point ng preliminary investigation ay verified complaint kung magpapadala po kayo sa amin ng information or data outside of that, hiling po namin na pakikumpleto 'yung data as much as possible kasi wala kaming makuhang reference point kung saan naganap, kailan naganap," Laudiangco said.

Once the Comelec receives an anonymous complaint, Laudiangco explained that the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation will be tasked to investigate these reports.

"Even if sa Facebook pinadala ito, they have to engage their cybergroup pa to determine. Humahaba po kasi ang proseso. Ang gusto po namin mapabilis ang investigation kaya po kung maibibigay ang importanteng detalye kung saan, kailan, kung mayroong kilalang tao, pakibigay rin ang pangalan po kahit anonymously. We will engage the NBI and the PNP to investigate it. Mas mapapabilis tayo kesa nagtatagal ang proseso," he added.

Further, Laudiangco reminded the public that they can file the complaints not only with the Comelec, but also with the city and provincial prosecutors office.

Laudiangco likewise welcomed the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte on his Talk to the People aired on Thursday, that he believes that no cheating occurred during the 2022 elections.

“We really are grateful to the president of the Republic for saying that kasi all the time naman po from the very beginning, that is the goal of the Comelec, to ensure that the elections is credible, honest, accurate, and clean. Maraming salamat kung ito na ang pahayag ng Pangulo at ng international community,” he said.

Duterte however said the Comelec needs to investigate allegations of election fraud amid glitches on vote counting machines and other issues to erase the public doubt.

Commissioner Marlon Casquejo earlier noted that 915 VCMs and 469 SD cards malfunctioned during the May 9 polls, but insisted that such number was still “minimal” compared to other elections.

Meanwhile, the PNP said it has been tasked by the Comelec to tear the unused ballots after the closing of voting at 7 p.m. on May 9.

“Ayon na rin po sa rules ng Comelec ay pupuwede pong punitin yung mga unused ballots po dyan. At yun po ang ginawa ng ating mga kapulisan. Tayo naman po ay sumusunod sa utos ng Comelec,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in a Palace briefing.

She added that election supervisors were present in the area when the police destroyed the ballots.—LDF, GMA News