Poll official denies in-fighting at Comelec

MANILA. Comelec briefing on April 11, 2022. (Comelec)
MANILA. Comelec briefing on April 11, 2022. (Comelec)

ON THE heels of the resignation of Commissioner Socorro Inting as head of the gun ban committee, an official of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) denied Wednesday, April 13, the perceived in-fighting between members of the seven-man poll body.

In an interview, Comelec Commissioner George Garcia said there is no conflict among members of the Commission En Banc with less than a month before the May 9 polls.

"There is no such thing. It's more imagined than real," said Garcia.

"No such rift, I assure you that, not even misunderstanding," he added.

The poll official said such a conflict does not exist as seen in their successful weekly Comelec En Banc meeting on Wednesday, April 13.

"In our En Banc session today, all items in the agenda were acted and disposed of with the full participation of all members," said Garcia.

He admitted, however, that the matter on the resignation of Inting was not yet resolved during the meeting.

"There is En Banc action yet on her resignation," said Garcia, adding that Inting remains as the chair of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC).

On late Tuesday, April 12, reports came out that Inting has resigned from her post as CBFSC head.

This came on the heels of the decision of the Comelec En Banc, in a vote of 4-3, to issue automatic gun ban exemption to top government officials.

"On account of the promulgation on 6 April 2022 of Comelec Resolution No. 10777, which amended Comelec Resolution Nos. 10728 and 10757, the CBFSC has essentially been rendered functus officio," said Inting in her memorandum.

"I cannot in good conscience continue to remain as CBFSC chairperson when this same position has already been made inutile due to the enactment of Comelec Resolution No. 10777," she added.

In the said Comelec Resolution 10777, automatic gun ban exemptions were granted to top government officials in a bid to ensure their safety during the election period.

Comelec Chairman Saidamen Pangarungan, Commissioners Garcia, Rey Bulay, and Aimee Neri approved the resolution, while Inting, Marlon Casquejo, and Aimee Ferolino dissented.

Ferolino, during the en banc meeting on Wednesday, April 13, wore black "in support of Commissioner Inting." (HDT/SunStar Philippines)

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