Delay in proclamation of winning party-lists seen

MANILA, Philippines—There could be delays in the proclamation of winning party-list groups due to the ongoing House investigation into allegations of massive cheating in the May 10 elections, a Commission on Elections official said Thursday.

Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal could not say how long the delay would be, adding that it would depend on the progress of the investigation of the House of Representatives into the claims of poll cheating by a masked whistleblower known only as “Robin”.

“We need to coordinate with the field officials on wrapping up the activities for the elections but we can’t do that because we have to go to the House of Representatives,” Larrazabal told a news briefing.

“We respect Congress that’s why we’re attending, but this will cause delay in our work,” he said.

He said that the commission was just waiting for the certificates of canvass from Lanao del Sur and from the overseas absentee voting, in order to come up with the list of winning party-list groups.

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives began its probe into the allegations of “Robin” that electoral fraud occurred during the first national automated elections on May 10. Another hearing has been set Thursday afternoon.

Source: Inquirer