Socdems bat anew for credible COMELEC

(By Agapito ‘Peping’ M. Lugay, Head, PDSP Public Information Department, April 15, 2006) -- PRESIDENT Macapagal-Arroyo should appoint more men of integrity and capability to the Commission on Elections in order to make the poll body credible once again.

The Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) pointed out that while the President cannot remove officials of the Comelec, she can exercise persuasive powers to convince top poll officials linked to anomalies to resign to pave the way for badly needed electoral reforms.

The Comelec chairman and the commissioners can only be removed by impeachment.

The PDSP welcomed the appointment of Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Rene Sarmiento as Comelec commissioner, saying he was a good choice for the post.

However, the party stressed that the President should also fill in the two other vacancies in the Comelec with upright, dedicated individuals who will work to improve the electoral system and bring back the people’s trust in the commission.

“Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos and the other commissioners linked to the anomalous computerization program should step down before any genuine reforms can be implemented. Rebuild a damaged institution starts with installing leadership with very high credibility,” said lawyer Jose “Nonong” Ricafrente, PDSP spokesperson.

He said Comelec officials should heed the growing clamor for their resignation. A recent Pulse Asia survey showed that 52 percent of Filipinos want the current coterie of poll officials to quit.

“These officials are impeding reforms and doing the country a great disservice by clinging to their posts. The government cannot hope to regain the people’s trust in the poll body and in the electoral process if these officials tainted with anomalies remain in power,” Ricafrente said.

“With another electoral exercise approaching, we need a Comelec that is beyond reproach. It’s time to sweep out the old system and introduce changes that will make the country’s electoral exercises credible once more,” Ricafrente said.

The anomalous purchase of automated counting machines worth P1.3 billion, the controversy involving former commissioner Virgilio Garcillano and allegations that some election officials helped rig the results of the 2004 national elections have greatly damaged the reputation of the poll body.

The recent admission of Commissioner Resurreccion Borra that there was indeed cheating sparked more outrage and fuelled public outcry for a change in leadership at the Comelec.