Palace: ‘Any internal disagreement’ in Comelec won’t affect integrity of May polls

MANILA, Philippines — The Palace believes that “any internal disagreement” in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) would not affect the integrity of the May 9 polls.

Acting presidential spokesperson Martin Andanar’s remark came after Commissioner Socorro Inting resigned as chair of Comelec’s Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Safety Concerns “in protest” of the amendments on the gun ban exemption.

READ: Inting quits ‘in protest’ as chair of Comelec gun ban panel

“We respect the independence of the Commission on Elections as a constitutional body,” Andanar said in a statement.

“We further believe that any internal disagreement among its commissioners will be resolved amicably and professionally and will not affect the integrity of the May 2022 elections,” he added.

Inting, who chaired the panel since February, was replaced by Commissioner Aimee Ferolino.

READ: Commissioner Ferolino named acting chair of Comelec gun ban committee

Comelec chair Saidamen Pangarungan earlier announced that senior government officials, organic agents of the National Bureau of Investigation, and election officers are exempted from the election gun ban after amending Resolution No. 10728.

READ: Comelec says senior gov’t officials exempted from poll gun ban

Pangarungan, along with Commissioners Rey Bulay, George Garcia, and Aimee Neri, approved the amended resolution while Ferolino, Inting, and Commissioner Marlon Casquejo dissented or expressed their reservations.

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