By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – A complaint has been filed against a local candidate in Batangas province over alleged abuse of state resources (ASR) before the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
In his complaint, Raneo Abu alleged that Batangas Rep. Jinky Bitrics Luistro, who is seeking re-election, was present during the distributions of Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) in several campaign activities in the province.
“On two separate occasions during the official campaign period and in the course of scheduled campaign activities, Jinky Bitrics Luistro, a candidate for public office, made public appearances during the distribution of the government financial assistance, AICS,” Abu said.
Abu said Luistro’s campaign events “were designed to coincide with these pay-outs, where she not only delivered speeches to convince people to vote for her, but also attributed the said distribution to herself.”
Abu said such acts fall under ASR as Luistro “unduly influences public perception by making it appear that beneficiaries of the government program owe their receipt of aid to her.”
“Luistro directly used her position and official power to induce, influence, and manipulate the voters and ultimately undermines the electoral system, which is detrimental to democratic governance,” the complainant said.
In a video posted on her Facebook page, Luistro dismissed the accusations against her as “part of the massive demolition job ng ating mga kalaban (of our opponents).”
Illegal campaign materials
Meanwhile, senatorial candidate and Valenzuela City Rep. Eric Martinez is among the 24 bets in the May 12 elections who are now facing disqualification cases before the Comelec due over illegal campaign materials.
In separate petitions, Martinez, as well as two candidates for governor, one for provincial board member, two for mayor, four for vice mayor, and 14 for councilor, are facing disqualification cases filed by the Comelec-Task Force Baklas.
“Our Task Force Baklas has been forced to file disqualification cases against these candidates because we have asked you repeatedly to remove your illegal campaign materials and yet to continue to defy us,” Comelec Chairperson George Garcia said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday.
Facing disqualification cases are gubernatorial bets Salvador Violago (Bulacan) and Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado (Bulacan); and provincial board member aspirant Shiwen Lim (Pampanga).
Mayoral bets Christopher Clemente (Baliwag, Bulacan) and Maria Lourdes Alejandrino (Arayat, Pampanga); and vice mayoral candidates Jeca Villanueva (Taytay, Rizal), Niño Magno (Manila City), Angela Atienza (Manila City), and Jose Daluz (Cebu City) are also facing disqualification charges.
Also facing disqualification cases are the following candidates for councilor: Estregan Cayton (Taytay, Rizal), Allan Onofre (Mexico, Pampanga), Ronaldo Tibayan (Pulilan, Bulacan), John Vijandre (San Juan City), Gerardo Gamez (Manila City), Raco del Rosario (Angeles City, Pampanga), Gerald Cruz (Taytay, Rizal), Jan Francisco (Taytay, Rizal), Emmanuel Gonzaga (Taytay, Rizal), Inigo Jurado (Taytay, Rizal), Jan Lopez (Taytay, Rizal), Ronwaldo Angeles (Pasig City), Elimar Ventura (Mexico, Pampanga), and Niko Gonzales (Magalang, Pampanga). (PNA)
