A complaint seeking the disqualification of Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara from running for reelection was filed before the Commission on Elections’ Kontra Bigay Complaint Center on Tuesday, May 6, his opponent Jurry Nabaja said.
Nabaja alleged that on April 29, the mayor was present at the distribution of government aid to senior citizens at the Cauayan Arts Center in violation of the Omnibus Elections Code in relation to Comelec Resolution 11104 on abuse of state resources.
Resolution No. 11104 defines abuse of state resources as the misuse of government property, funds and manpower by government officials for partisan political activity and their undue use of official powers to gain electoral advantage.
Assistant Regional Director Jossil Macute of the Comelec Negros Island Region, said the complaint against Tabujara for alleged abuse of state resources was the first of its kind to be filed in the NIR.
The complaint against Tabujara states that he was present at the Cauayan Arts Center on April 29 where he was seen addressing a crowd of senior citizens and directly interacting with the aid beneficiaries, Nabaja said.
Nabaja, who went to the Negros Occidental Comelec office in Bacolod City to inquire about the filing of the complaint, pointed out that the presence of candidates or politicians at the distribution of government aid has been prohibited by the Comelec from March 28 to May 12.
He has three witnesses, photos and videos to prove that Tabujara was present during the distribution of Department of Social Welfare and Development aid to the senior citizens, Nabaja, who is the lone challenger of the incumbent mayor, said.
Tabujara said he only gave a speech at the event as sitting mayor of the town and left when the actual distribution of aid took place so he did not commit any violation.
This is just a desperate move by Nabaja against him, Tabujara said, adding that he will answer whatever complaint is filed in the proper forum.
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Nabaja was advised to file his complaint against Tabujara directly before the Comelec’s Kontra Bigay Complaint Center, Macute said.
If there is a basis for the complaint, the Kontra Bigay Complaint Center will forward it to the Comelec Law Department for action, and if there are matters to be clarified, it will be referred to the Regional Kontra Bigay Center for further investigation, Macute said.
If there is no basis, the complaint will be dismissed, he added.
Macute said the Comelec has already issued disqualification orders against two candidates for similar offenses, which has triggered an increase in cases filed.
The Comelec takes such cases seriously, and even after the elections, a disqualification case decision can still be implemented, he added.*