Poll protests
THE House of Representatives has passed on third and final reading a proposed legislation which seeks to mandate the expeditious resolution of all election protests in the country.
In filing House Bill (HB) 9315, Deputy Speaker Rufus Rodriguez said the interminable delays in the disposition of poll cases put a cloud of doubt on legitimacy of the declared winners.
Likewise, the delays encourage unscrupulous candidates to cheat, knowing full well that election protests take years to resolve, according to the lawmaker from Cagayan de Oro City.
It is certainly revolting to the senses that in some instances, poll protests were decided only a few months or days before the end of the terms of office of the challenged officials.
“Napaka-unfair naman ito sa mga tunay na nanalong kandidato,” lamented a retired public school teacher, who served as a member of the board of election inspectors (BEIs) for many years.
The proposed law gives the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, Senate Electoral Tribunal, House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal, appellate court and the Comelec deadlines to resolve protests.
Election protests against the President, Vice President and Senators are to be decided within 24 months following their proclamation and assumption of office.
The deadline for resolving protests against congressmen, regional, provincial, city and municipal officials is 12 months, while it is six months for cases against barangay officials.
We cannot overemphasize the importance of speeding up the approval of the proposed piece of legislation as the 2022 national and local balloting fast approaches.
In the view of various quarters, including local politicians, it’s a move in the right direction considering the continued presence of unscrupulous candidates.
