Two editorials urge Comelec: Enough with the delay

SO FAR only two news organizations have  reminded the Commission on Elections (Comelec) that its delayed decision on the disqualification cases against Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s candidacy raises valid questions about the independence of the agency and the integrity of the May 2022 elections. 

Cheers to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and The Philippine Star for making this point in their respective editorials this week. The law may not require a quick decision, an infirmity which should be corrected. But everyone can see how the Comelec should be obliged to decide as early as possible. 

Days before her February 2 retirement, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon disclosed to the public that she had voted to disqualify Marcos Jr. Guanzon told GMA News that she had found “moral turpitude” based on Marcos Jr.’s failure to pay taxes for the combined four years he served as vice governor and governor of Ilocos Norte. The commissioner justified her premature revelation by describing the delay as an active “conspiracy to defeat [her] vote”  until  she leaves office. 

The Inquirer’s “Saving Comelec’s credibility” on February 1 stressed the importance of a speedy resolution in the DQ cases. Its lead was on target, pointing to the “grave implications” of Guanzon’s claims on the integrity of the poll body and the May elections. 

The editorial urged the remaining commissioners to act with “integrity and honor” to maintain public trust ahead of the national polls and to “show utmost ability to safeguard the sanctity of the ballot.” Rather than Guanzon’s violation of established protocols, the Comelec should be more concerned about making a timely decision. The Inquirer then urged it to address the public’s concerns about political pressure being exerted on the poll body. It likewise challenged Guanzon to identify the senator allegedly meddling in the Comelec’s processes so that the official can be brought to account.

The editorial in closing noted that the country does not need another scandal like 2004’s “Hello, Garci,” when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s telephone call to Comelec was made public and raised questions about the legitimacy of her electoral win.

For its part, the Star’s Jan. 29 editorial “Conspiracy to delay?” recorded Guanzon’s “exasperation” over the apparent stalling of Comelec’s First Division, which is handling the consolidated cases against Marcos Jr. 

The Star said that Commissioner Aimee Ferolino-Ampoloquio, the designated ponente (the one tasked to write a decision,) denied agreeing to release the decision on January 17, the date Guanzon had claimed a resolution would be reached. This prompted Guanzon to publicly allege that a senator, who is an ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, was pressuring the division to stall until the commissioner leaves office. 

Although it said Guanzon could be sanctioned for her revelations, the editorial argued that the candidate himself “should not want a cloud hanging over the legitimacy of his candidacy.”

The editorial closed by pointing out that a timely resolution is critical to “honest, open, and peaceful” elections.

Media should continue  analyzing the negative effect of a delayed decision and pressing the Comelec to ensure the confidence of the voting public.