Tuesday, April 24, 2007 Guardo raps Cuenco for doling out health cards
CONGRESSIONAL aspirant Jonathan Guardo filed a complaint yesterday against reelectionist Cebu City south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco for allegedly giving out accident insurance cards worth P100,000 each to residents.
Assisted by his lawyer Salvador Solima, Guardo filed his complaint about noon at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office against Cuenco for vote-buying through the insurance cards.
“This is a clear proof and manifestation that vote-buying is not from our camp. It is clear that this is a form of deception,” Guardo said.
He also said the cards are used as propaganda in order to buy votes.
Cuenco denied violating any law in relation to the distribution of accident insurance cards to his constituents.
In a statement, Cuenco said he had ordered the distribution of the cards stopped upon the advice of the Comelec “since there was doubt as to its propriety.”
“The use of the insurance card has not been perfected and its distribution has been aborted upon my instructions,” Cuenco said.
In a radio interview, Cuenco explained that the cards were not his but were from Lakas-CMD party.
Cuenco narrated that he and north district Rep. Raul del Mar consulted the Comelec officials as to the legality of the distribution of the insurance cards.
The insurance cards were intended for tricycle and trisikad drivers who, Cuenco said, are prone to accidents.
“The agreement was aborted. What is he complaining about? Cuenco pointed out.
When asked if he plans to file counter charges, Cuenco said he is still securing affidavits from witnesses.
Cuenco disclosed that he had received reports that Guardo is buying votes for P100 to P5,000.
“It is a pity that my adversary from Surigao is surrounded by bum legal advisers. Maybe he can fool the people of Surigao but not the Cebuanos. This is another publicity gimmick of my opponent. He certainly is a publicity bug,” he said.
In his complaint, Guardo argued that Cuenco violated the first part of Section 261 of the Election Code through the distribution of cards.
The Election Code defines a vote-buyer as any person who directly or indirectly gives, offers, or promises anything of value to anyone in order to induce the person to vote for him.
Solima said the penalty is imprisonment and disqualification of the candidate.
He showed to the reporters a sample of the insurance card received by Michael Oyao, a south district resident.
The front of the card shows the face of Cuenco with a label on the left that says, “This is your Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD) party membership card.”
The accident policy insurance is provided by the Fortune General Insurance Corp. in Pasig City.
It is signed by Lakas-CMD national chairperson President Arroyo and national president House Speaker Jose de Venecia.
The back of the card showed that there is an additional P10,000 for accident and burial gifts.
Guardo said the insurance coverage will make use of government resources.
Guardo’s camp also appealed to Comelec to inform them before taking away their tarpaulin streamers, like the incident in Barangay Pardo recently.
“BO-PK’s tarp has been in its place for a long time already. Tribu Guardo’s tarps were installed just three days ago. They were taken out Sunday. So we appeal to the Comelec not to single us out. If we did something against the guidelines of Comelec, please inform us and we will correct it right away,” said Councilor Eugenio Gabuya, who was with Guardo. (NRC/KNT)
