By Myris Lee
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will conduct a formal investigation on the improper disposal of poll paraphernalia found by a netizen at a vacant lot in Amadeo, Cavite a few days after the May 9, 2022 polls.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said they may prosecute the person found guilty of violating their contract with the company that transported the ballots, vote-counting machines, and other supplies for the elections.
“There is a contract and if there is a violation of the contract o hindi nila na-satisfy ‘yung contractual obligation nila, then we can always either rescind the contract, may damages kami, bawasin natin ‘yung ibabayad namin o we can withhold payment until we are fully satisfied kung ano ‘yung nangyari or at the same time, we can always prosecute,” Garcia said.
According to Garcia they already asked the logistics provider to explain their side of the incident.
Garcia also added that the individual who handled the poll paraphernalia found in Cavite shall be liable because it is against the Omnibus Election Code-Article XXII of election offenses and a violation under their contract with the company.
“Public document pa rin ‘yun. Therefore, kahit na ‘yan ay after the elections, public documents ‘yan kahit hindi siya balota. Then, therefore, whoever is in the possession of this document will always be accountable,” he said. – bny
