Shaking down the Comelec

Franklin Drilon may be correct in saying Team Pnoy is not a political party but a “brand” to show that the coalition had the support of the administration of President Aquino. But he was wrong in challenging the Comelec to issue an injunction against them.

Drilon was reacting to a statement by Comelec chairman Sixto Brillantes that the poll body has issued notices to Team PNoy candidates that their campaign posters were illegal and must be taken down.

It is one thing to argue a case or to clear up a misunderstanding, none of which can apply to Drilon and his reaction. How Drilon reacted to the Brillantes statement reeked of pure hubris, underscoring the arrogance of a man in power.

“I don't know where Comelec is getting its legal opinions. I challenge Comelec. If you think it is illegal to use Team PNoy, then issue an injunction against us. Then we'll see,” said Drilon, as quoted by the Philippine Star.

Drilon could have used language befitting both his stature as a senior senator, and as the campaign manager of Team PNoy, which is trying to court the votes of the people. Instead he used language that cannot but be seen as arrogant.

What did he mean by “we'll see?” Was he threatening the Comelec? Drilon must have forgotten that the public perception of the Aquino administration is that it has already co- opted Congress and the Supreme Court. Is the Comelec next?

The Comelec is already one of the least trusted institutions in government. It does not do the Comelec any good for its respectability and integrity to be eroded further as a body seen as given to bullying by the administration.

The reckless language of Drilon has now placed the Comelec on the spot. If it backs down and refuses to do what Brillantes has warned it would do, it will be seen as having been scared into inaction by the administration, or worse, that it can be told what to do or not to do.