1Sambayan to Comelec: Probe election ‘irregularities’

Opposition coalition 1Sambayan has urged the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate the alleged irregularities during the 2022 national and local polls and take measures to assure it will not be repeated in future elections.

“Nananawagan kami sa Comelec na imbestigahan ang mga ito at papanagutin ang mga may sala upang malaman ng mga mamamayan ang katotohanan at para hindi na mauulit sa mga susunod na halalan,” 1Sambayan said in a statement issued Friday.

(We appeal to the Comelec to investigate and make accountable those behind these incidents. This way, the truth will come to light and it will not happen again in the coming elections.)

1Sambayan made the remarks amid their validation of the election returns (ER) used in the unofficial quick count of the poll body. 

“Masusing pinag-aralan ng 1Sambayan ang mga Election Returns o ER na nai-ulat sa Comelec unofficial quick count at lumabas na ang mga ER na ito ay nagtugma sa mga partial ERs na nakuha ng 1Sambayan sa mga presinto,” it said.

(1Sambayan is carefully studying the Election Returns announced in the Comelec unofficial count. It was found these ERs match the partial ERs 1Sambayan received from precincts.)

Technical glitches

The group said the poll body needs to explain to the public the massive technical glitches that caused delays in voting in various areas in the country.

“Gayunpaman, nais lamang tukuyin ng 1Samabayan na napakaraming iregularidad na nangyari noong nakaraang halalan tulad ng vote-buying, disenfranchisement ng mga botante, pagkasira ng vote counting machines, power failure, malawakang disinformation sa social media, red-tagging at marami pang iba,” the coalition said.

(Nevertheless, we want to note that a lot of irregularities were reported during the elections such as vote-buying, voters’ disenfranchisement, destruction of vote-counting machines, power failures, massive disinformation in social media, and red-tagging, among others.)

GMA News Online has sought Comelec's response but has yet to receive a response as of press time.

But at a separate briefing, acting Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco refuted cheating allegations by groups who protested outside the poll body headquarters in Manila, stressing that proceedings for the recently conducted elections were transparent.

“We could proudly state, wala pong dayaan na naganap (no cheating transpired). The credibility of the elections is there,” Laudiango said.

He also asked the public to listen to the statements of election watchdogs such as the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE), and National Citizens' Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL).

In earlier statements, the Comelec and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) previously declared the recent polls was “generally peaceful,” despite several incidents of election-related violence including strafing, explosions, and ballot-snatching on May 9, Election Day.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) also called for the resolving of these issues earlier as it urged law enforcement agencies to go after the persons behind the incidents.

1Sambayan, meanwhile, thanked Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan for joining the presidential and vice-presidential race, respectively, saying they sparked in millions of Filipinos the desire for good and honest governance.

“Nagpapasalamat kami kay VP Leni at Sen. Kiko sa pagtindig at sa pangunguna sa atin sa misyong ito ng tapat na pamamahala,” it said.

(We thank VP Leni and Sen. Kiko for standing up and leading us in our mission for an honest government.)

“Patuloy ninyo kaming makakasama sa ating misyong para sa isang pamahalaan na magpapalakas ng ating ekonomiya, gagawa ng trabaho at hanapbuhay, makakapagbigay ng social services, magkakamit ng katarungan at magpapayabong ng ating likas na yamang para sa ikauunlad ng lahat ng Pilipino,” it added.

(We are still on this mission to build a government that would strengthen our economy, produce jobs, provide social services, give justice, and protect our natural resources for the Philippines’ betterment.)

Based on partial and unofficial results shows by the Comelec Transparency Server, former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte are leading their rivals by a wide margin. — RSJ, GMA News