ONE Cebu is set to file a complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) against Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III for distributing calamity aid to drought victims during the election period.
Davide, while admitting having distributed relief assistance during the campaign period, said calamities do not choose victims or time, thus, “helping also doesn’t choose victims or time.”
One Cebu Legal Counsel Mel Amadora, in a statement, said this is a violation of the Omnibus Election Code and warned Capitol officials against using the declaration of a state of calamity over the whole province to “further the interests of administration candidates.”
“We are warning them not to use the misfortune of the Cebuanos for political means,” he said.
Governor Davide admitted to having distributed relief assistance during the campaign period which started on March 25, including the distribution of assorted vegetable seeds to farmers in Alegria last April 1.
“Nakompleto na ang tanang mga gikinahanglan alang sa mga hinabang. Ang naka-itok lang nako ang kining mga tumo-tumo sa taga One Cebu. Kung ipatigbabaw nato ang kaayohan sa katawhan, manghulga ang pikas mokiha,” he said in a statement.
(Everything needed for the assistance is done. These things One Cebu are making up anger me. When we uphold the welfare of the people, they threaten to sue.)
Davide assured that his administration will continue to serve Cebuanos whether in rain or in sunshine, storm or drought because this is what he promised.
But Comelec Cebu Acting Provincial Election Supervisor Eliseo Labaria emphasized that all forms of assistance, even during calamities, should be coursed through authorized agencies and should not directly come from the executive or legislative departments while the election ban is in effect.
“They can’t distribute because it can be construed as a form of politicking,” he said.
Even if the provincial government can secure an exemption from the Comelec, official candidates are still not allowed to participate in the distribution.