Complaint filed vs Legarda over ‘illegal’ use of govt funds for Antique
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2019 11:42:08 +0000
AN advocacy group has filed a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against outgoing Sen. Loren Legarda for alleged violation of election laws.
The Filipino League of Advocates for Good Governance (FLAGG), in its letter-complaint addressed to Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas, claimed that Legarda, who is running for congressman in the lone district of Antique, was “illegally” benefiting from government funds.
The complaint was dated March 4, 2019 and signed by Junex Doronio, director of FLAGG for the Visayas. It claimed that the senator violated Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code when she personally distributed government projects in Antique.
“We find it very surprising that despite the fact that her intention to run in Antique was general knowledge, she parades and harps in the province that she funded innumerable projects in Antique,” it said.
Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code enumerates various prohibited acts, which constitute an election offense.
Doronio said the senator’s actions also run directly against the Supreme Courts decision on the pork barrel system because she treated government funds as her own.
“As chair of the Senate committee she should refrain from doing this illegal and immoral practice. It is clear that her candidacy is benefiting from these national projects that the Executive Branch is implementing in Antique,” the petitioner said.
Legarda, in a disqualification case filed against her by Exequiel Javier, a former congressman and governor of Antique, pointed out that as a senator and chairman of the Senate finance committee, she allocated funds to provide financial assistance to Antique residents, and spearheaded several projects to preserve and promote the environment, tourism, and rich culture of the province.
The Comelec Second Division, in a resolution, dismissed last month the disqualification complaints separately filed by Javier and former Antique vice governor Robin Rubinos for allegedly misrepresenting in her certificate of candidacy her period of residency in Antique.
The decision though is not yet final and may still be elevated to the Commission en banc.
But Comelec spokesman James Jimenez pointed out that any negative decision issued by a Comelec Division would still have no effect on one’s candidacy, as in the case of Legarda.
“It is not yet final. There can be an appeal taken, which means no practical impact on the candidacy because it is not yet final,” he pointed out. WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL
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