Photo Courtesy of Ka Leody De Guzman Facebook Page
MANILA, Philippines — Labor leader and presidential candidate Leody De Guzman on Wednesday admitted lapses in their acquisition of the permit from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for their February 8 proclamation rally.
De Guzman in a press conference explained they encountered problems in securing the permit from Comelec due to several requirements.
“Definitely mayroong lapses. Ang problem doon, dahil sa dami ng requirements na hinihingi ng Comelec, sa kwento ng Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) na nag-ayos, nagrequire ng permit din sa local government. At ‘yung nai-file sa local government, ‘yun ang nakabara doon sa pagpa-file ng permit naman sa Comelec kasi kailangan naka-attach daw ‘yun,” he said at the weekly Pandesal Forum.
(Definitely, there are lapses. According to the PLM coordinator, there were too many requirements. One of these requirements is a permit from the local government. This permit from the local government is required to be attached in filing a permit from the Comelec.)
“‘Yun ‘yung nakabara at siyang naging dahilan kung bakit hindi nakaabot doon sa Comelec, pero ngayon naman ay nasa paghahabol pa tayo,” he added.
(We got stuck on the permit from the local government and that was the reason why it did not reach the Comelec, but we are now fixing the matter.)
The Comelec earlier announced that the camp of De Guzman failed to secure a permit for their proclamation rally at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City on Tuesday evening.
Comelec’s Education and Information Department Director Elaiza David earlier warned that the camp of De Guzman and his running-mate, vice-presidential candidate Walden Bello, will commit an election offense if they push through with the event.
De Guzman’s group, nevertheless, proceeded with their campaign rally.
De Guzman said their lawyers are already communicating with the Comelec to resolve the matter.
De Guzman also assured that health protocols against the COVID-19 pandemic were observed during the proclamation rally.
“Kanina nabasa ko doon sa statement ng Comelec, ni James Jimenez na hindi naman pinagbabawal ‘yung mga rally o pangagampanya. Mas ang concern nila ay sa mga protocols, at ‘yun naman ay tiniyak namin kagabi,” he said.
(I read the statement of Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez that they are not prohibiting rallies or campaigns. They are more concerned about the protocols, which we followed yesterday.)
“Kaya naniniwala ako, umaasa, na maaayos ‘yung problema na ‘yun,” he also said.
(That is why I believe and hope that our problem will be fixed.) With reports from Jericho Zafra, trainee
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