Caindec accused of violating election law

CEBU, Philippines — The regional director of the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 and his daughter-in-law were accused of electioneering, and graft and corruption before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

Councilor Noel Hormachuelos of Panglao town in Bohol filed the complaint with request for investigation before the NBI against LTO-7 Director Victor Emmanuel Caindec and Councilor Amira Alia Montero-Caindec, also of Panglao town.

In a letter dated April 20, 2022 addressed to NBI Director Eric Distor, Hormachuelos alleged that LTO-7 conducted free Theoretical Driving Classes (TDC) on March 29, 30, and April 1, 2022 in Tagbilaran City, and the municipalities of Panglao, Dauis and Garcia-Hernandez, all in Bohol Province, during the election period allegedly without authorization from the Commission on Elections.

During the conduct of the free TDC in Panglao town, Hormachuelos alleged that Caindec and Montero-Caindec, a mayoralty candidate of the municipality, promoted the activity as their joint initiative.

“During the actual holding of the TDC, mayoralty candidate Amira Alia Montero-Caindec, used the activity to conduct on-person campaigning with the beneficiaries and deliver speeches before them at the Panglao Cultural Center, the venue of the classes,” Hormachuelos said.

There were 500 beneficiaries during the first batch and approximately 1,000 beneficiaries during the second batch.

Hormachuelos further alleged that while the classes were ongoing, Director Caindec openly and brazenly campaigned for his daughter-in-law, allegedly urging the TDC beneficiaries to vote for the latter.

In addition, Hormachuelos alleged that beneficiaries were made to pay medical examination fees ranging from P500 to P700 for medical certificates allegedly issued without an actual physical examination conducted by a doctor present who is accredited in Bohol.

Receipts were issued under the business name of St. Jude Medical Clinic with business address at A&S Bldg., MV Patalinghug Avenue, Pajo, Lapu-Lapu City.

Hormachuelos claimed that verification from various sources confirmed that such clinic does not exist in the area and the receipt in question does not also follow the prescribed format as mandated by existing revenue regulations issued by the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

“As these acts were allegedly committed during the course of the free TDCs and in the presence of Regional Director Victor Caindec, it can be prima facie presumed that the latter sanctioned these acts to happen under his watch,” Hormachuelos said.

Hormachuelos asked the NBI to conduct an investigation and the filing of appropriate charges against Caindec and Montero-Caindec.

“With all due respect, there is an urgent need to stop and immediately put an end to these shameless acts of electioneering by said public officers,” Hormachuelos added.

Hormachuelos is a candidate for vice mayor of Panglao in the May 9, 2022 elections.

Caindec did not reply messages sent through email and messenger for his reaction but in his April 5 Facebook post, he hinted of politicians who criticized such program of LTO-7.

“Manghinaut ko nga kanang mga pulitiko diha, gidaut ang programa sa LTO, nga has-been ra ba, nga naka pahimulos pag-ayo kaniadto sa LTO kay siya man ang Godfather sa drug testing (suko na siya nako kay ako man nagpa undang ana diri sa Region7), ka ulaw intawn sa imung kaugalingon. Balita nako from a very reliable source wa ra ba ka nakabayad sa imung utang sa abangan sa clinic nimu sa isa ka mall. Mao tingali nagsakit ka aning Malasakit Outreach no? Kay imung clinic wala na naka pahimulos?” Caindec said.

“My dear Boholanos, you decide. Mopadayon pa ba ang LTO sa TDC Scholarships dinha sa Bohol or dili na?” he asked further. JMO (FREEMAN)