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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Comelec exec Bulay clarifies he issued a warning, not a threat

Comelec exec Bulay clarifies he issued a warning, not a threat

Published Apr 25, 2022 07:03 pm

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rey Bulay clarified on Monday, April 25 that he issued a warning against those who would attempt to disrupt the elections, not to jail critics.

Comelec/MB

"So ang sinabi ko (So what I said), to those that will comment lawless violence by inducement, with respect to the results of the election, you will be met with the full force of the law," he said during a press briefing late afternoon.

"It's no threat. It is the truth. So I am actually warning people to obey the laws kung sakaling hindi nila alam (in case they didn't know)," he added.

Bulay explained that he made the statement to emphasize that election offenses are decreed as criminal acts. He really didn't have to say it, Bulay said, since ignorance of the law excuses no one.

"Yung ginawa ko, at yung word na ginamit ko (What I did, and the word that I used was), warning," he said.

"Yun ay sinabi ko para sa kabutihan din ng mamamayan na naniniwala (I said that for the benefit of the citizens who believe)," he added.

Bulay even made an example out of the headline: "Comelec exec threatens to jail critics" which according to him, falls within the elements of libel under the Revised Penal Code which are defamatory imputation, malice, publication, and identifiability of the victim.

He said that he hopes that this will be the last time that he will speak about the issue so that they may concentrate on the upcoming May 2022 polls.

He issued a warning during the poll body's public briefing on Friday, April 22 against those who have been accusing the poll body of partisanship and cheating ahead of the upcoming May 2022 elections.

"Ako po ay nagwawarning sa inyo (I am warning you) We will not hesitate to call upon the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na ngayong sa panahong ito ay nasa control ng Comelec na patulan at ipahuli at ipakulong kayo, yung manggugulo sa election na ito (which at this time is under Comelec control, to arrest and jail those of you who will be disrupt the elections)," he said.

He added that as a former Manila chief prosecutor and that he will not think twice about filing cases against those who will impede in the elections.

Related Tags

2022 elections 2022 presidential elections 2022 polls Comelec 2022 national and local polls Commission on Elections (Comelec) 2022 NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS Commission on Elections
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