Comelec official takes swipe at poll chief

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections Commissioner Rowena Guanzon reminded ranking government officials yesterday about honesty, gender sensitivity and being a good example to low-ranking employees, in an apparent swipe at Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abas.

“As high government officials, we have a duty to instill honesty, gender sensitivity and be good examples to our subordinates,” Guanzon said on her official Twitter account, @rowena_guanzon, tagging the Comelec’s official Twitter account @COMELEC.

Guanzon’s tweet came a few days after Abas was heard in the background of a livestreamed video featuring the filing of certificates of candidacy, apparently scolding staff of the Comelec’s Education and Information Division (EID), on Oct. 8.

The EID is headed by Comelec spokesman James Jimenez.

Abas was heard calling EID staff “gago (stupid),” accusing them of  ignoring his orders to hold a virtual press conference in favor of Guanzon’s instructions.

The virtual press conference pushed through and was attended by both Guanzon and Abas along with other Comelec officials. Guanzon left shortly after saying her piece.

On the same day, Guanzon tweeted about being called “gago” as she stated her credentials.

“Dinamay pa ako. Sino ang gago? Ako may UP Law at Harvard degree (I was included. Who’s stupid? I have UP Law and Harvard  degrees),” she said as she shared an online article about how Abas scolded EID staff.

Abas has yet to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the PNP will protect Comelec officers and employees assigned to areas with
security problems and a history of election-related violence.

He issued the statement after election officer Aknam Hasim of Maluso, Basilan was wounded during a gun attack last Monday.

Eleazar instructed the Zamboanga Peninsula police to identify the perpetrators behind the attack. – Emmanuel Tupas