• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
A disqualification case has been filed against Cauayan Mayor John Rey Tabujara before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for alleged violation of its Resolution No. 11104 related to the abuse of state of resources (ASR) in line with the May 12 national and local elections.
Businessman Jurry Nabaja, who is challenging Tabujara in the mayoral race, said Tabujara was personally present during the distribution of social pension by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) at the Cauayan Arts Center in Barangay Poblacion on April 29.
Nabaja said that incumbent politicians are prohibited from attending the distribution of government assistance from March 28 until May 12 this year.
On Tuesday, Nabaja, accompanied by three witnesses, went to the Comelec provincial office in Bacolod City to file the complaints.
Comelec-Negros Island Region assistant regional director Jossil Macute advised them to directly file their complaints before the Committee on Kontra Bigay.
Comelec defines ASR in elections as the “misuse of government resources, whether material, human, coercive, regulatory, budgetary, media-related, or legislative, for electoral advantage.”
In the complaint, a copy of which was furnished to the media, witnesses said that while the social pension program for senior citizens was conducted by the DSWD, the Comelec has clearly stated in its issued guidelines that such exemption is conditional upon the non-presence of any candidate during the conduct of such activities.
For his part, Tabujara said he was invited to attend the activity to give a message, being the incumbent mayor.
He said that he immediately left after his speech, and did not attend the distribution of government assistance.
Stressing that he is aware of the Comelec guidelines on Kontra Bigay, Tabujara said he will answer the complaints in a proper forum.
Macute said the hearing of the complaints will continue even after the May 12 elections. | GB
