Comelec's hands tied vs Negros bet seen handing out money

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said Saturday that it cannot yet file charges against a local bet in the Negros Island Region (NIR) seen giving out money to audience at an event.

In a radio interview, Comelec Chairperson George Garcia explained that if the aspirant did that before 28 March, the campaign period for local candidates, he still has no violation because he is not yet covered by the election law.

Garcia was referring to an incumbent official who was seen in a video showering P500 bills to spectators at an event.

"He will officially be a candidate on 28 March. If he has violated anything, it could be the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act," he added.

Garcia reiterated that the poll body has no jurisdiction yet to act on it because of the Supreme Court decision on Peñera vs. Comelec which says campaign violations can only happen during the official campaign period, not before.

"The Ombudsman has the power to file a complaint on his own initiative in such cases. The Department of the Interior and Local Government can do the same, as any resident or any individual from there," he added.