Election crunch time

With a little over a week left in the campaign before election day, the playing field has become a dizzying scene of parrying, pandering and dirty tactics. Only the death of Pope Francis managed to outshine the hysteria of the election fever in the news cycle.

Not even the rising tensions between the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea which has been aggravated by the deployment of US missile systems in strategic locations around the country and the ongoing Balikatan exercises have distracted from the political skirmishes so close to 12 May.

At a time when social media and information (or misinformation) are within a few clicks and shared instantaneously, black propaganda and underhanded tactics against political opponents have become easier to execute on a wider scale. The campaign period is peaking and, as expected, the political strategists have saved their hidden aces and best tricks for the most crucial last weeks before election day.

Senator Imee Marcos has released the final report of her Committee on Foreign Relations’ inquiry into the arrest and rendition of former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (FPRRD) to The Hague with the recommendation that criminal and administrative charges be filed against the top government officials responsible.

This is Manang Imee’s nth attempt at consolidating Duterte votes in her favor after Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent endorsement. But will it be enough to land her in the Magic 12?

VP Sara, on the other hand, has confirmed her inclusion in the International Criminal Court’s list considered for the issuance of arrest warrants in the case involving FPRRD’s drug war.

Allegedly, the list includes Senator Bato dela Rosa, Senator Bong Go, former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde, and former police generals Vicente Danao and Romeo Caramat. This move is strategic on her part in order to harness more sympathy votes for the Duterte family’s opposition Senate slate.

The Office of the Ombudsman has also stunned many with last-minute orders. Incumbent Albay Governor Edcel Greco Lagman has been found administratively guilty of grave misconduct for allegations he was receiving jueteng payola when he was vice governor. Lagman, who dropped out of the gubernatorial race to support the disqualified Governor Noel Rosal, was dismissed with all the accessory penalties which includes perpetual disqualification from holding public office.

Maybe it’s just a coincidence. But soon after the administration launched the P20 per kilo rice program in the Visayas, Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, who is running for reelection, has just been placed under preventive suspension by the Ombudsman. The administrative case was filed in connection with irregularities alleged committed in the issuance of a special permit in favor of construction firm, Shalom Construction Inc., for the desiltation of the Mananga River without holding public consultations and complying with the required Environmental Compliance Certificate or Certificate of Non-Coverage from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Note that while appealable, these orders are immediately executory. And with a staggering lead over her opponent, Gwen Garcia is a sure win.

Meanwhile, the Comelec has issued show-cause orders to local candidates for alleged violations of election regulations and vote buying. These developments will certainly impact the election results for the Senate (and, ultimately, the final composition of the impeachment court), especially with the three million votes from Cebu province.