The Commission on Elections logo superimposed on the picture of its headquarters in Manila. INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — A “procedural error” was behind the missing certificates of canvass (COCs), Commission on Elections (Comelec) acting spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said Wednesday.
The canvassing of votes from Surigao del Sur, Pampanga, and Sultan Kudarat was deferred Tuesday evening in the Congress, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC), due to the missing COCs.
“I believe there was a procedural error on the part of Comelec personnel, specifically the Provincial Board of Canvassers,” Laudiangco said on ANC’s Headstart, when asked about the matter.
“But they had spoken to the National Board of Canvassers in Congress and they will be submitting today all the documents required. They will be submitting these under oath in front of the National Board of Canvassers,” he added.
Based on initial findings, the COCs were placed in a different envelope intended for other positions, instead of the envelopes for president and vice president.
“They might have used a different envelope po,” Laudiangco told INQUIRER.net in a text message.
“Napagpalit lang po ang envelope but not the COC copies po,” he added.
(The envelopes may have been switched but not the COC copies.)
The Comelec assured that the person or people involved in the incident will be held accountable, if proven that they have neglected their duties.
“That power really resides in Comelec naman po. It’s inherent within us but before any penalties, before any sanctions, we have to determine if there is really indeed negligence or non-compliance from their part. Anyway, they will be explaining what happened this afternoon,” Laudiangco said.
Congress, sitting as NBOC, is canvassing votes for president and vice president. They are eyeing the proclamation for the top two highest posts in the country before June.