The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) submitted on Friday to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) a list of 52 barangay officials who supposedly engaged in partisan political activities.
But the poll body pointed out that it couldn’t sanction just yet these allegedly erring officials unless a “verified complaint” is filed against them.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that what the DILG sent to them was a mere summary sheet of barangay officials who allegedly engaged in partisan political activities, which are prohibited by both the poll body and the Civil Service Commission (CSC).
“We have to wait for them to file verified complaints. There should be sworn affidavits, and based on these the Comelec can then conduct an investigation for possible election offenses. We can’t even tell from this [list] what are the actual accusations against these persons,” Jimenez told reporters.
700 complaints received
On Friday, Interior Undersecretary Epimaco Densing III submitted the names of the “initial” 52 barangay officials whom he said were reported to them by the public.
As of Friday, he noted that they already received “more than 700” complaints against barangay officials, but the bulk of these reports were still being verified.
He added that these complaints were supported by “photos and videos” showing the officials’ supposed infraction.
According to Densing, their move was meant to end the apparent “culture” in the country where laws are not followed, even by those elected to enforce them.
Just an endorsement
He admitted, though, that the list they gave to Comelec was indeed just an endorsement of the complaints submitted to the DILG.
Under the joint circular issued by the Comelec and the CSC for the May midterm polls, though barangay officials were voted into office, they are not allowed to campaign for any candidates.
Only the President, the Vice President, Cabinet members, other elective public officials and their personal and confidential staff can participate in partisan political activities.