CEBU CITY – A lawyer and candidate for congressman of the first district of Bohol has sought the reassignment of the provincial election supervisor in the province.

PIZARRAS

Jordan Pizarras, who is running under Aksyon Demokratiko, raised concerns of impartiality when he formally sought the reassignment of  Commission on Elections-Bohol Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Eliseo Labaria in a letter.

Pizarras emphasized that Labaria has occupied the position since 2010. “Comelec should consider reassigning him to another post,” Pizarras stated.

He urged the Comelec to uphold its mandate to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections by transferring Labaria. He suggested a reassignment or position swap with Atty. Jerome Brillantes, the provincial election officer of Cebu, or another suitable official.

“The power of Comelec to reshuffle election officers is an inherent part of its constitutional duty,” Pizarras argued. “It serves to reinforce the integrity and fairness of the electoral process.”

Citing legal grounds, Pizarras referenced the Omnibus Election Code (Batas Pambansa Bilang 881) which authorizes the Comelec to transfer personnel to enhance efficiency. He also highlighted Section 44 of Republic Act No. 8189 (Voter’s Registration Act of 1996) that limits the tenure of election officers in a specific city or municipality to four years, mandating their reassignment to a different congressional district thereafter.

“This provision exists to safeguard the neutrality of election officers and to prevent undue familiarity with local political figures,” Pizarras explained. “While it explicitly pertains to city and municipal election officers, the same principle should logically apply to provincial officers as well.”

He underscored that reassignments are crucial for preventing potential bias between election officials and political candidates, addressing service demands efficiently, and ensuring impartiality in the electoral process ahead of elections.

Pizarras said that aside from a brief reassignment to Negros Oriental in 2023 — when Labaria temporarily switched roles with Eddie Aba during the barangay elections — Labaria has remained in Bohol for over a decade. 

He warned that keeping Labaria in his position could lead to perceptions of bias in favor of incumbent officials.

Pizarras said that if his request is denied, he is ready to bring the matter to the Supreme Court.