Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Sunday criticized Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rey Bulay for threatening to sue individuals criticizing the poll body’s preparations for the May 2022 elections.
Drilon said that as public servant, Bulay should not be overly sensitive to people who are merely expressing their concerns about the glitches in the automated elections when the May 9 is fast approaching.
"We are public servants, let's not threaten the people. The plea for a fair and honest election is a plea in every election, there's nothing wrong with that," Drilon told Senate reporters in a press conference in Iloilo City.
"The citizenry is calling on the Comelec to exercise its constitutional duty, and that is expected from them," the minority leader said.
He said Bulay's threat to arrest critics for expressing their opinions about the Comelec’s performance has no legal basis, saying the 1987 Constitution upholds every Filipino’s right to free speech and expression.
According to Drilon, Bulay may not be used to criticisms, being a newcomer to his job and his working environment.
But "a threat like that has no place in our system," Drilon said.
"You must not be onion-skinned, especially when the citizenry is simply asking you to perform your duty to assure a fair, orderly and honest election. So why should you threaten them with a suit?" Drilon said.