The people are wondering why the Commission on Elections (Comelec) continues to remain mum amid the protests from certain political quarters questioning specific results of the last elections. Perhaps, it is high time we nudged the honorable Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista, and tell him he needs to look into these matters—and more important act on them—with urgency. Naturally, the most pressing case on his table is the dispute over the second-highest position in the land between Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Bongbong Marcos.
Another matter getting the cold shoulder from the Comelec is the appeal of former MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino against former Justice Secretary Leila de Lima. The two both ran for senator in May, and the latter is now sitting. Once more, the poll commission appears mum, if not defiantly immobile, on this. What we must remember is that swift resolution is expected not just by the contesting parties, but by the nation at large.
In the final analysis, Filipinos want the rightful victors to take their deserved place, regardless of whether we voted for them or not, something the respectable Comelec chairman and the rest of commissioners must be taken to task for.
There is a local saying that goes—and we’re taking some translating liberties here—the nail won’t burrow itself; you have to hit it on the head. The proverbial hammer may come in the form of relentless Commissioner Rowena Guanzon, along with her colleagues in the commission, in hopefully pushing Mr. Bautista to move.
Though the poll-related tiffs between Marcos-Robredo and Tolentino-de Lima—virtual stalemates that people have been losing patience over—admittedly need careful consideration, the same cannot be said of the more glaring inconsistencies in the party-list race. More specifically, the following entities are facing disqualification cases that are near-impossible to contest: ACTS-OFW, Cibac, 1CARE, 1-Ang Edukasyon and TUCP, first-time offenders all, most of whom allegedly having questionable actions regarding their nominations and nominees.
The biggest conundrum facing Chairman Bautista and his commissioners in the party-list race, however, is the Senior Citizens Partylist, which, after winning two consecutive elections—and facing disqualification charges during both—still enjoys its status quo position. Imagine: two victorious elections, no actual nominees taking up seats, their pitiful sector left to fend for themselves. These people should not be allowed to sashay casually back into the party-list arena next time.
The Filipino people are watching how the Comelec will resolve these pending petitions.
Cecille Lopez
Barangay Maybunga, Pasig City