THE Commission on Election in Baguio City is set to investigate alleged fixing activities by some individuals during the last day of filing of certificates of candidacies for the various positions in the May 14 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.
Based on the allegations of one of the candidates for kagawad, Comelec guards allegedly sold documentary stamps aside from recommending where the candidates would proceed for notary public documentation amounting from P200 to P250 each.
Baguio City election supervisor lawyer John Paul Martin assured those who conducted the fixing activities were not official guards nor employees of the Comelec.
"The process being initiated by the commission during the filling of candidacies is done free because we only receive them. All the candidates know that the commission does not charge anything during the filing period," Martin said.
Martin said prior to the scheduled filing of COC's in the city, a memorandum order had been released prohibiting personnel of the Comelec from the selling of documentary stamps and notarizations of documents.
"Any activities involving payment with regard to the filling of certificates of candidacies by prospective such as photographs, photo copying, placements of documentary stamps and notary must be done outside the commissions premises, prior to Comelec receiving the documents," added Martin.
The city election supervisor admitted receiving similar reports coming from other candidates.
"In fairness to the prospective candidate, if he or she has any information which would indicate that this are members of my staff, he or she may inform me and I will do the necessary action," Martin added.