High time to amend Omnibus Election Code, says an ex-Comelec elder

THE brouhaha embarking on the suspicious identity and nationality of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is more than enough reason to amend the Omnibus Election Code.

According to former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, most of the provisions in the code are outdated, and could have been applicable 40 years ago.

Larrazabal particularly hinted at the qualifications for which a political aspirant could run for public office via an election.

“With regards to qualifications, you’re stuck with those qualifications in the constitution and the various laws,” Larrazabal noted

As for the case of Guo, Larrazabal could only wish public vigilance.

When sought for his insight over the questionable citizenship of Guo, Larrazabal told newsmen in attendance at the media forum, Larrazabal partly blamed the voters for failure to scrutinize the candidates they  are voting for.

He said that the fact nobody stood up to question Guo’s registration as a voter and subsequently as a mayoralty candidate, the Comelec is duty-bound to facilitate the Certificate of Candidacy ( COC).

“Ang problema lang is no one really cares, unless, of course, yung tingin mo yung tao tatakbo sa next election, so it’s up to the citizenry also to be more vigilant. But I guess that’s easier said than done,” Larrazabal noted.

That being said, the former Comelec official that anyone can challenge Guo now and file a quo warranto case.

“Kasi when you file a COC and when you win, the qualifications you possess as a voter and as an elected official has to be maintained,” Larrazabal further noted. (ANGEL F. JOSE)