Pablo, PJ Garcia ask for security in poll season

DEPUTY Speaker Pablo Garcia and Rep. Pablo John Garcia were the first to submit their documents to the Provincial Commission on Elections (Comelec) to apply for security personnel.

Under the new Comelec Resolution 9608, incumbent governors and members of Congress are allowed to keep two security personnel for the election period.

One of the prohibited acts during the election period, which started last Jan. 13, is the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates with no authorization from the Comelec.

Provincial Comelec Supervisor Lionel Marco Castillano said that Pablo John and his father Deputy Speaker Garcia submitted their request for security personnel on Tuesday afternoon.

He said there were applications that were filed at the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CCPO) when, in the process, they should have gone first to the Comelec.

The Comelec will forward the documents to the CPPO Director Patrocinio Comendador for threat assessment within five days.

These will be endorsed to the Regional Joint Security Control Center, which may issue a temporary security detail for 30 days while it is being processed.

The committee on the ban of firearms and security personnel will have the final approval for a permanent security detail.

As of press time, Castillano has yet to receive any request or document to have security personnel for Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who is currently suspended, nor from the acting Gov. Agnes Magpale.

Castillano earlier sent a letter to Comelec Regional Director Temie Lambino to ask for guidance on who should be the incumbent governor as far as the seeking of security personnel is concerned.

The Comelec law department will handle the matter. Castillano has yet to receive a reply.