Election Commissioner Rey Bulay (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — Elections Commissioner Rey Bulay said he had been unaware until last week of the questionable details of the deal made last March with the organizer of the presidential and vice-presidential debates sponsored by the Commission on Elections.
Bulay, a former Manila chief prosecutor, had objected to the release of P15.3 million to Impact Hub Manila as supposed “counterpart” money from the Comelec for five rounds of debates in March and April.
The P15.3- million payment surfaced after the last two debates scheduled last weekend were canceled due to Impact Hub Manila’s unpaid P14 million debt to venue provider Sofitel Hotel.
Bulay warned poll officials that releasing the P15.3 million would be “criminal” since Comelec is prohibited from using public funds for the debates.
—DONA Z. PAZZIBUGAN
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