14 Comelec offices explain role on debate fund mess in probe

Election Commissioner Rey Bulay (Photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to release its findings on the investigation it conducted following the deferment of the presidential and vice presidential debates due to its private partner’s nonpayment of its financial obligation to a posh hotel, which was to supposed to host the debates.

Fourteen departments of Comelec were ordered to file their respective responses as to their roles concerning the postponement of the debates, said Commissioner Rey Bulay.

These departments include the Office of the Executive Director, Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Administration, Bids and Awards Committee, Office of the Deputy Director for Operations, and the Procurement Management Department.

Bulay said other departments submitted their response even though they had no part in the transactions concerning the debate.

“Fourteen itong nag-comply. Allow me to study their responses with respect to the queries,” Bulay said in a press briefing.

He said he may release the findings and recommendations from the investigation on Friday, April 29, should he have the “full cooperation” from all parties. Bulay said he may hold another press conference by then.

“Kung may awa ang Diyos at saka magkakaroon ako ng full cooperation, kasi siguradong may mga clarificatory questions ako sa mga responses nila, siguro mga Friday, magpatawag uli ako ng presscon. I will make you aware of my findings and recommendations sa en banc,” he said.

(If God has mercy and I will have full cooperation, since I may have clarificatory questions in their responses, maybe by Friday I can hold a press conference again and I will make you aware of my findings and recommendations to the Comelec en banc.)

“Alam niyo naman, hindi ko lang desisyon pagdating sa course of action that will be taken with respect to the findings,” Bulay added.

The presidential and vice presidential debates were supposed to be held on April 23 and 24, but it was reset to April 30 and May 1 instead.

The postponement came after it was reported the Impact Hub failed to pay Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila the amount of P14 million for hosting the venue of the event.

EDV