News
No discrimination in issuance of SCOs, says Comelec chief
UPDATES. Chairperson George Erwin Garcia (3rd from left) and other Commission on Elections officials face the media at The Manila Hotel Tent City on Sunday (Oct.
6, 2024). Garcia said they anticipate more individual and party-list candidates during the final two days, with filing to be allowed even past 5 p.m. as long as they are already in the venue before that hour. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency
MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday assured candidates in the May 12 elections that there is no discrimination when it comes to the issuance of show cause orders (SCOs) to those accused of committing campaign infractions.
“If you look at the list of those with SCOs, it doesn’t look into the political parties nor the positions involved,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said in an interview. “We will issue (SCOs) to whoever needs to explain to the Comelec.”
He added that they had made similar action during the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.
“We will do the same as there shouldn’t be any distinction in our actions, whether barangay or SK or national or local candidates,” Garcia said.
Data from Comelec’s Committee on Kontra Bigay showed that a total of 213 SCOs have already been served involving the distribution of cash assistance and 67 SCOs issued due to alleged misuse of government assistance programs.
Five mayoralty bets in Metro Manila –Stella Quimbo (Marikina City); Francisco Domagoso, Samuel Versoza, and Honey Lacuna (Manila), and Jeannie Sandoval (Malabon) –have been issued SCOs.
Other individuals who have been subject of SCO include gubernatorial candidates Zarah Rose Lara (Cagayan), Danilo Fernandez (Laguna), Reynante Tolentino (Aurora), and Datu Ali Midtimbang (Maguindanao del Sur).
Among the areas recorded with most number of SCOs issued are Calabarzon with 44, National Capital Region with 33, Central Luzon with 18, and Bicol and Mimaropa with 16 each.
“The show cause order is important to start the process,” Garcia said. “We cannot just file cases without it (SCO) as the case may just be dismissed eventually,”
He said that with the issuance of the SCOs, the Comelec has proven that it “is determined to file petitions to disqualify candidates.”
