Impact Hub wants Comelec to pay ₱15-M unsettled liability

Impact Hub Manila, the official partner of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the 2022 presidential and vice presidential debates, has demanded the poll body to pay ₱15.3-million worth of unsettled liability.

In a letter dated April 27 addressed to Comelec spokesperson Rex Laudiangco, Impact Hub said they and the Comelec signed a third memorandum of agreement on March 7, 2022 for the launching of Pilipinas Debates 2022.

However, the debate was unilaterally rescheduled and eventually canceled.

"That said, our client has submitted their claim, and the payment for the services rendered (per TOR) is currently processed," Impact Hub said.

Laudiangco said that they received a copy of the letter on May 8 and immediately elevated the matter to Comelec Chairman George Garcia, Executive Director Teofisto Elnas Jr., and their Law Department since he has neither the power nor authority to act on the issue.

"It's good that it's them who reminded us of this issue and brought this back to our collective memory," Garcia on Tuesday, May 16.

"Public fund was involved and it is our sworn duty to spend it only pursuant to established rules, regulations, and auditing practices. We are determining whether everything was in order or whether something somewhere along the way, serious issues of questionable nature did set in. We cannot be rushed to settle, more so that there are criminal, civil and administrative liabilities being investigated," he added.

Garcia noted that their investigating panel had already submitted a report to Comelec en banc several months ago.

"However, the en banc returned it to the body with the instructions to clearly pinpoint the specific laws and provisions involved, the responsibilities if there be any of certain mentioned individuals, and a more detailed recommendations based on the facts and the laws applicable. The factual antecedents as determined by the panel remained as is," he said.