Tuguegarao City, Cagayan – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said on Friday, April 29, that it wants two of its media relations officials ‘temporarily relieved of their duty due to the scrapped presidential and vice-presidential debates.
The poll body’s Commissioner Rey Bulay has spearheaded the probe on the debate mishap and is seeking to temporarily remove Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez and his deputy Frances Arabe from duty.
Bulay underscored that the commission has discovered “reasonable cause to commence a formal administrative disciplinary investigation.”
He also said the investigation must also be a formal fact-finding operation on top of the disciplinary actions sought.
Should the 2 officials be relieved of their duty, temporary replacements are also eyed by the poll body to ensure their operations in the Comelec Education and Information Department are continued.
After Bulay forwarded his recommendation to Comelec Chair Saidamen Pangarungan, he said “To prevent disruption in the essential election operations, the elections being a few days away, Directors Jimenez and Arabe were recommended to continue other functions under the supervision of their committee heads.”
Arabe has responded to the order of Bulay and has confirmed to follow and properly turn-over responsibilities.
The adjustment sought for by Bulay follows the recent postponed final debates of the Comelec last April 23-24 caused by ‘financial issues’ between the poll body’s private partners Vote Pilipinas and event venue host Sofitel Philippines.
With a last minute postponement of the prestigious stand-off between prexy and VP bets, the Comelec has set a panel interview type of set-up starting May 2 with only 6 presidential aspirants and 4 vice-presidential hopefuls participating.
Comelec Commissioner George Garcia confirmed that presidential candidates Ernesto Abella, Leody De Guzman, Norberto Gonzales, Faisal Mangondato, Jose Montemayor and Manny Pacquiao will be joining the Comelec forum with vice-presidential candidates Rizalito David, Manny Lopez, Tito Sotto and Carlos Serapio. TNF