Senior House leader asks poll body officials to stop infighting

Roman Romulo from Polytechnic University of the Philippines

MANILA—The chairman of the House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms asked poll officials on Monday to refrain from infighting and resolve their dispute once and for all among themselves.

The panel chairman and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said the infighting will not resolve the issue but will ruin the good reputation of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) as an institution.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista and Commissioner Rowena Guanzon should tone down their temper and instead look for an avenue to settle their dispute and move as a collegial body, Castro said.

“I know that Commissioner Guanzon is not directly under Chairman Bautista but do not forget that they are collegial body headed by its chairman,” Castro pointed out,

He explained that just like in the House of Representatives where they are all equal as members of Congress but they need to be guided by their Speaker in their endeavors and actions,

The veteran lawmaker clarified that bickering will not help the poll body move forward, adding that its officials must remember that what the nation needs is the collegial decision to assure that the next election is peaceful and credible.

According to Castro, other commissioners, as part of the poll body, should interfere, pacify and aim to move as one, especially that the election is fast approaching. The nation will vote for the next leaders of the country on May 9. (PNA)