MANILA (Mindanao Examiner / Aug. 6, 2013) – A local media group called Alab ng Mamamahayag or has filed graft charges at the Office of the Ombudsman against the Commission on Elections for allegedly violating Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
ALAM national chairman Jerry Yap said the complaint stemmed from the disqualification of their group from the May 13, 2013 midterm elections. He said the charges were filed against COMELEC chairman Sixto Brillantes, Jr. and Commissioners Rene Sarmiento, Lucenito Tagle, Armando Velasco, Elias Yusoph, Christian Robert Lim and Maria Garcia Cielo Padaca.
“Our disqualification despite the status quo order by the Supreme Court is a clear violation of Section 3(e) of RA 3019,” Yap said in a brief statement sent to the Mindanao Examiner.
He said the law states: “Causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith or gross inexcusable negligence. This provision shall apply to officers and employees of offices or government corporations charged with the grant of licenses or permits or other concessions.”
Yap also said that the decision made by Brillantes and his colleagues is contrary to COMELEC Resolution No. 9467. There was no immediate statement from the COMELEC about Yap’s accusations.
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