Ban on Palace appointees running for public office sought

MANILA, Philippines—A lawmaker wants Palace appointees barred from seeking election to any public office less than a year after their term ends.

In House Bill 183 or the proposed “Executive Election Ban Act of 2013″, Parañaque City Representative Gustavo Tambunting said presidential appointees should not be allowed to join the polls  less than 12 months from the time their term of office ended.

HB 183 also directs the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to require a candidate to present a certification that he or she has not held any appointive position 12 months prior to the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC).

The Comelec will disqualify those who will violate it once the measure is passed into law.
Tambunting said he filed the bill to prevent political appointees from abusing government funds to purse their political ambitions.

“That there are government officials who use and abuse these resources is a well known fact. The vigorous Anti-Epal campaigns from civil society groups during the recent elections bear testament to this,” he said.

While there were measures preventing losing candidates from taking executive positions, the neophyte lawmaker said nothing barred executive officials from running during the elections immediately after their term.

“House Bill 183 is envisioned to close this gap,” Tambunting said.