FILE PHOTO: Comelec Commissioner George Garcia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — The spending ban petition of Nueva Ecija provincial governor, who was recently dragged into the money distribution mess during Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ rally, along with the similar appeal of two provincial governments were denied by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia on Thursday said the petition filed by governor Aurelio Umali to continue his projects even as he campaigns for reelection was denied by the poll body.
“The petition of exclusion of the province of Nueva Ecija, the Comelec denied,” Garcia said in a press briefing at the Comelec session hall in Intramuros, Manila.
Meanwhile, similar petitions of the provincial governments of Bohol and Cebu were also denied, according to Garcia.
Section 13 of Comelec Resolution No. 10747 states that candidates are required to secure a certificate of exception for social welfare projects and services. Election code states that giving, offering, or even promising money or anything of value could be considered as vote buying, and hence prohibited.
It can be recalled that several news outlets reported the distribution of white envelopes containing P500 bills to the attendees of a campaign rally for the Uniteam standard-bearer and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, in Nueva Ecija.
Umali later clarified that the money was “ayuda” or financial aid for local residents.
Approved, partially granted
Meanwhile, the Comelec approved the petition of the provincial government of Davao de Oro.
The Comelec also approved the exception petition of agencies Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Office of the Vice President.
Here are the following local and provincial governments whose petitions are “partially approved” by the Comelec.
- Surigao del Norte
- Palawan
- Sta Rosa, Laguna
- Capiz
- Tagum City
- Quezon City
- Koronadal City
Lack of documents
Garcia said the petition of the said agencies, local, and provincial governments were denied and was only partially approved because of lack of documents.
“There are certain projects included in the petition which do not contain budget [and] particulars. The Commission en banc deem it necessary not to grant these projects. We do not want to give any undue doubt as far as how the money is spent,” Garcia explained.
There are still 25 spending ban petitions filed before the Commission, according to Garcia.
The commissioner said: “Hopefully by next week I am going to announce again the petitions that will be acted upon by the commission after the submission for resolution of these cases.”