Duterte, walang papaboran sa halalan

Para matiyak ang mapayapa at kapanipaniwalang eleksiyon, nangangako si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte na ipatutupad ang batas “regardless of political color or position” at poprotektahan ang kasagraduhan ng balota.

Sinabi ni Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo na hindi rin gagastusin ng Pangulo ang pondo ng bayan para suportahan o ilaglag ang mga kandidato o harangin ang campaign rallies.

“The President conveys to the nation his steadfast and unwavering commitment to strictly enforce the election laws to ensure a clean, honest and fair elections reflective of the genuine will of the electorate,” saad sa pahayag ni Panelo.

“The Chief Executive guarantees that all laws will be implemented and applied to everyone regardless of political color or position,” idinugtong niya.

Hindi kukunsintihin ng Pangulo ang “offending practices” para sa paboran ang isang kandidato o gagamitin ang pondo ng gobyerno para sa partisan political activities.

“Not a single centavo from the taxpayers’ money nor any government property will be spent or used for or against a candidate,” ani Panelo.

Kinikilala rin ng gobyerno ang karapatan ng publiko na magdaos ng campaign rally, at hindi haharangan ang kalayaang ito. “Any official that restricts the issuance of permits to peaceably assemble and to hold campaign rallies, marches and motorcades shall be held accountable before the law,” ani Panelo.

Gayundin, iginagalang ng Pangulo ang right of suffrage bilang tatak ng ating demokrasya. “The government will thus act accordingly to protect the sanctity of the ballot and ensure that those who will win will be proclaimed winners without delay unless restrained by the courts,” aniya.

Nangangako ang Pangulo ng malinis at tapat na halalan matapos maghain ng certificates of candidacies ang daan-daang kandidato sa national at local positions para sa 2019 midterm elections.

Inaasahang sasalain at ilalabas ng Commission on Elections (Comelec) ang final list ng mga kandidato sa Disyembre 15.