Comelec chief Brillantes, 2 other poll execs slapped with contempt rap

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillates. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — One faction of the Senior Citizens party-list has filed a contempt case against three top Commission on Elections (Comelec) officials for refusing to proclaim the rightful winning candidates despite a high court ruling.

At a press briefing on Monday, Representative Godofredo Arquiza named the three poll officials as chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr., and senior commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph.

He made the announcement after the poll body refused to proclaim the winning candidates after both factions claiming to be the legitimate group violated election laws.

Arquiza added that the Comelec should have no doubt that he is the rightful representative of the party-list since he won a third term in the last elections.

He went on to say that the representative of the other faction Francisco Datol Jr.is a known “Comelec operator.” He refused to elaborate.

Comelec earlier disqualified Senior Citizens for term sharing until the high court reversed it. The party-list is split to two sets of nominees after a rift, stalling the Comelec in proclaiming the rightful set of winners.

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