Mayoral candidate files disbarment case vs. Comelec officials

A man who ran for mayor of Mapandan, Pangasinan on Tuesday filed a disbarment case against several Commission on Elections officials, claiming they dismissed his complaint without due process.

“Nagsampa po ako ngayon ng kasong disbarment laban sa mga opisyales natin ng Comelec, sa pamumuno ni Comelec chairman George Garcia at ang iba pang Comelec officials, for ignorance of the law,” Jaime Aquino said in an ambush interview.

(Today I filed a disbarment case against officials of Comelec, led by Comelec chairman George Garcia and other officials, for ignorance of the law.)

When sought for comment, Garcia said that being unable to pay a filing fee will lead to a dismissal. He said this is presumed in all courts.

“Pag hindi po nagbayad ng filing fee, automatic po ang dismissal. Dyan po nagkakaron ng jurisdiction ang Comelec,” he said.

(If the filing fee is not paid, dismissal is automatic. That is where the Comelec acquires jurisdiction.)

Aquino said filed a complaint with the Comelec for alleged vote-buying and vote-selling against another candidate.

He said he was not informed about the required filing fee.

“Hindi po ako inabisuhan na may babayaran pala na P10,000 sa kanilang opisina na filing fee tapos legal fee na P100. ‘Yun lang po ang dahilan,” he said.

(I was not advised that I’ll need to pay a filing fee of P10,000 and a P100 legal fee.) 

"Ayon sa ating Saling Batas, lahat ng mamamayan ng Pilipinas ay may karapatan sa due process of law at may karapatang makinabang sa ating mga batas. Hindi po ako nabigyan ng due process of law kasi hindi nila ako inabisuhan," he later added.

(According to our Constitution, all citizens of the Philippines have the right to due process of law and the right to benefit from our laws. I was not given due process of law because they did not notify me.)

Aquino also called for Garcia’s resignation.

“I am calling the resignation of Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia,” he said. — BM/RSJ, GMA Integrated News

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