Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rey Bulay has recommended to the Comelec chair the temporary relief of Directors James Jimenez and Frances Arabe from their media relations functions amid the ongoing investigation on PiliPinas Debates fiasco.
Bulay mentioned in a statement the recommendation for the designation of temporary replacements for the directors in the poll body’s Education and Information Department.
Jimenez and Arabe will continue their “other functions under the supervision of their committee heads” to prevent disruption of election operations. The recommendations were submitted to Chairperson Saidamen Pangarungan on April 29.
LOOK: Comelec Comm’r Bulay recommends to Comelec Chair Pangarungan the temporarily relief of Comelec Spox Dir. James Jimenez and EID Asst. Dir. Arabe from any functions involving media relations and exposure due to the ongoing investigation on PiliPinas Debates 2022 fiasco.
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Bulay said the Task Force Pilipinas Debates 2022 Fiasco has found “reasonable cause to commence a formal fact-finding and administrative disciplinary investigation” following the discussion of preliminary findings on April 28.
The task force will include the personnel department director since “Comelec personnel are involved, and to ensure the observance of due process, and a thorough, proper, fair and impartial probe” – Report from Karen Villanda/AG-ngs