MANILA - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) reminded candidates that payment of permit to campaign and permit to win fees to the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) and its allied organizations are election offenses and may be grounds for disqualification. Based on the minutes of a recent meeting, presided by then acting chairperson Socorro Inting, the Commission en Banc approved the recommendation of the Law Department in response to the letter of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to issue a resolution on the possible penalties for candidates who agree to pay such fees. "The concern on payment of candidates of a Permit to Campaign and Permit to Win fees to the CPP-NPA-NDF and its allied organizations are already covered by existing laws/resolutions of the Commission," the en banc said during an online meeting. The payment of such fees violates Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code on vote-buying and selling
(File photo) MANILA - Malacanang on Wednesday brushed aside Senator Richard Gordon's fresh tirade against President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's anti-narcotics drive. In a virtual presser, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, also acting presidential spokesperson, dismissed as a mere "political noise" the claim of Gordon that Duterte seemed to have failed to end the drug problem in the country. "As we all know, we are in the middle of the campaign season and this is part of the political noise," Andanar said, when sought to react to the statement of Gordon, who is seeking reelection in the May 9, 2022 national elections, on Duterte's drug war. In an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel, Gordon branded Duterte as "idol of the blind." Gordon also blasted Duterte for the latter's alleged unfulfilled promise to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in his first three to six months in power. On March 31, Duterte expressed optimism that the country
“It’s very difficult to prosecute crimes like this simply because medyo mahirap mangalap ng mga ebidensya, mga testimonya (it’s hard to look for pieces of evidence and testimonies) and we do not want the courts dismissing our cases,” Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source” on Thursday.