Comelec exec admits meeting Ateneo prof over son’s failing mark, denies making threat

The Commission on Elections regional director in Davao, who allegedly threatened an Ateneo De Davao University professor over his child's failing mark, has apologized.

Comelec director Remlane Tambuang confirmed that he confronted the professor regarding his son's less than satisfactory grade but denied saying that his was a family of both lawyers and killers.

"I would like to reiterate there was no threat committed to anyone. It was a false media statement that blew out of proportion," Tambuang said in a statement.

"Still with all honesty and sincerity, I apologize to anyone who may have been hurt because of this unfortunate incident," he added.

"I never made any wrongdoing, I was there only to ensure and protect the interest of my son," Tambuang said.

Tambuang's alleged threats prompted the AdDU administration to issue a statement that its personnel would never be cowed by parental bullying.

Tambuang said he sought to to "clarify" with the professor the grade of the supposedly graduating student. He said his son couldn't understand why he had failed.

At his second attempt at a parent-teacher conference—the professor allegedly did not show up in the first one—Tambuang said he asked "calmly" for a clarification on his son's grade.

"[The professor] never presented documents I requested such as test papers and attendance sheets to justify the failing mark that he gave to my son," Tambuang said. It was at this point that he got "emotional."

"In spite of his denial of my request, I categorically deny that I said 'We are a family of lawyers and family of killers!'' I cannot possibly say that to the prestigious institution whom I trusted to mold my children," he said.

The Comelec official blamed his predicament on a report that, citing sources, said a parent had threatened an Ateneo de Davao professor "with a gun" over his child's low grades.

This article quoted the tweet of Professor John Harvey Gamas, which said "parents should never verbally abuse nor threaten teachers especially with a gun."

"Because of that article, I was already prejudged and maligned by the people. No solid evidence was presented to support their allegation," Tambuang said.

The university's administration has condemned the reported incident, but said footage and preliminary interviews showed "no weapon was actually used to threaten any university personnel."

Tambuang, who denied he or his companions brought a gun inside the campus, said he has been in public service for 21 years without having been faced with any criminal or administrative case. —NB, GMA News