LAWYER and congressional candidate for Bohol’s First District, Jordan Pizarras, has elevated his petition to the Supreme Court, seeking the enforcement of the Election Officer Reassignment Rules.
Running under the Aksyon Demokratiko party, Pizarras filed a petition for mandamus to the High Court, urging it to compel the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to implement existing laws governing the reassignment of local election officers.
The legal action stems from his earlier request to Comelec to reassign Bohol Provincial Election Supervisor Eliseo Labaria, who has held the position since 2010.
Pizarras argued that the prolonged tenure of Labaria could compromise the neutrality essential to a credible electoral process.
He recommended that Comelec consider transferring Labaria to another post to safeguard the integrity of the elections.
In his April 10, 2025 petition, Pizarras emphasized that the law mandates Comelec to ensure a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible election.
He cited Section 44 of Republic Act 8189, which states that no election officer shall serve in a city or municipality for more than four years.
He also pointed to Section 56 of the Omnibus Election Code, which authorizes Comelec to make changes in the assignments of its field officers.
Pizarras strongly asserted that enforcing these provisions is crucial to maintaining the impartiality of election officers and the credibility of the election process.
He said the Supreme Court's intervention would ensure that Comelec fulfills its constitutional duties. (AYB)