The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will hold public hearings in the towns of violence-hit Negros Oriental before it would decide whether or not to postpone the scheduled Oct. 30 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSK) elections in that province.
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin Garcia attends the Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs public hearing Wednesday, May 10, 2023 on the assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. Garcia allayed fears of violence and assured the public of an orderly and peaceful conduct of elections this coming October. (Senate PRIB Photo)
During a public hearing by the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee chaired by Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa today, May 10, Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the public hearing would be held when the fling of candidacies in the BSK elections starts on August 28.
The committee was on its fourth hearing, recording testimonies on alleged widespread politically-motivated violence, land grabbing and illegal E-Sabong operations in Negros Oriental under the sway of politicians.
This politically-charged situation led to the "brazen" assassination of Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo. Seven others were killed in that assassination.
Garcia said the Comelec could make a decision by the second or third week of September.
He said Comelec’s decision would take into consideration on the recommendation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Also to be taken into consideration, according to Garcia, is the statement of Senator Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Senate justice and human rights committee, that a recent survey showed that majority of residents of Negros Oriental favor the postponement of the Oct. 30 BSK election in their province,
Tolentino wants the postponement because the government could throw the manpower of the Armed Forces of the Philip[pines (AFP) and PNP to Negros Oriental after the nationwide BSK elections.
Garcia said it his clear that there are laws that give Comelec the authority to postpone the election of a particular political subdivision.
With or without a petition, the Comelec could also declare a specific place under Comelec control or under serious concern, he stressed.
Replying Senator Robinhood C. Padilla, Garcia said: "We are going to do I can commit the chairman of Comelec will be present there because of my trust and confidence in the PNP and AFP to prove to our people they should not be afraid especially in the conduct of election by Oct 30."
"I have full trust and confidence in PNP and AFP. During public hearings we are going to do I can commit the chairman of Comelec will be present there because of my trust and confidence in the PNP and AFP to prove to our people they should not be afraid especially in the conduct of election by Oct 30," he stressed.
"So Just to prove to everyone that we are not afraid and therefore we will do the right thing when the proper time comes," he added.
Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, new director of PNP region 7, said he supports the postponement of the BSK elections in Negros Oriental so that PNP could give a full force coverage of Negros province after the Oct. 30 nationwide elections.
Mayor Fritz Diaz of Siaton, Negros Oriental that there is killing before and after the election day in their area but none during the election.
For his part, Sen. Robinhood "Robin" Padilla expressed hopes that this year’s barangay and Sanggunian Kabataan (BSK) elections in October would be peaceful.
“Mr. Chairman, the key decision regarding the coming elections has fallen on your lap. The future of Negros Oriental is at a crossroads - will it lead to a better future, or a continued atmosphere of fear?” Padilla said in Filipino, addressing his concerns to the Comelec chairman.
“To me, and I know that our chairman (Senator Dela Rosa) will agree, we can protect these people from this heinous crime and to prevent it from happening again. I hope you can assure that when this barangay election takes place, no one will be harmed,” he added.
In response, Garcia said, the Comelec would closely coordinate with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) for the conduct of peaceful and orderly elections in Negros Oriental.