Comelec to file disqualification cases vs. at least 30 BSKE bets on Friday

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to file disqualification cases against at least 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates on Friday.

“Hinahanda naming ‘yung mga petition for disqualification, I think, nasa hindi bababa ng mga 30,” Comelec Director Nick Mendros, the head of the poll body’s “Task Force Anti-Epal,” said in a press conference Thursday.

(We are preparing the petitions for disqualification against at least 30 individuals.)

There are other cases which are expected to be filed but Mendros explained that they are constrained by the requirement to furnish a copy to the respondent first before filing the petition.

“Ang makakaya naming, makakapag-file siguro kami bukas ng mga 30 petitions to disqualify. These are…based on the answers given by these respondents on the show cause orders that we have issued in the last few weeks,” he said.

In the same press conference, Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the poll body can resolve the disqualification petitions before the October 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).

“Asahan niyo [You can expect], by Monday, these will be raffled to a division and then the division will issue summons requiring the respondents to file,” he said.

Garcia said the divisions will hold “summary proceedings” and they will not be required to conduct a full-blown hearing on each petition.

“Therefore, sa isang linggo, kumpleto lahat ng proseso ng submission at pwede kaming magdesisyon sa second week ng October. Almost sure ako na may desisyon bago mag October 30,” the Comelec chief said.

(Therefore, we can complete the process in a week and we can decide on the petitions by the second week of October. I am almost sure that there will be a decision before October 30.)

As of September 27, the Comelec has already issued 2,857 show cause orders. Of this total, 404 have responded.

The Comelec said there are 194 possible disqualification cases upon initial assessment. — BM, GMA Integrated News