By JEN BAYLON
Cauayan mayoral candidate Jurry Nabaja is eyeing filing a disqualification case against incumbent Mayor John Rey Tabujara over alleged violation of election rules by attending a government aid distribution event during the campaign ban period.
Nabaja appeared at the office of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Negros Occidental yesterday morning, bringing supporting documents and three witnesses to back his complaint.
Nabaja claims that Tabujara was allegedly present during the distribution of financial assistance to senior citizens at the Cauayan Arts Center on April 28, which he says is prohibited under the Omnibus Election Code and Comelec Resolution No. 11104.
The Comelec regulations bar incumbent officials from participating in such activities from March 28 to May 12.
“We gathered evidence that he was present during the distribution, which is a clear violation,” Nabaja said.
“We are filing this complaint to ensure that the rules are enforced fairly,” he added.
However, Jossil Macute, assistant regional director of Comelec in the Negros Island Region, advised Nabaja to file his complaint before the Committee on Kontra Bigay.
“Whatever the assessment will be, it could go both ways. The committee could file it directly with the Comelec law department for disqualification. If the committee finds that there are certain matters that need to be looked into before the filing, then they refer it to the regional committee on Kontra Bigay for preliminary investigation,” Macute said.
“After the preliminary investigation, it will be up to the committee again to assess if the investigation is already complete, and it will either be filed or dismissed,” he added.
Meanwhile, Tabujara, in response, dismissed the case as a desperate move by his rival.
“This is just a desperate attempt because they know they are losing,” Tabujara said.
The incumbent mayor explained that he was only invited to deliver welcome remarks at the event and left the venue before the actual distribution began.
“I know the prohibitions and I know what could affect me. They can only file a case against me if I was present during the distribution of money, but I only gave a message and left immediately,” Tabujara stated.
Tabujara acknowledged Nabaja’s right to file a complaint but expressed confidence that the case will not affect his campaign for re-election.
The case comes just days before the May 12 elections, where Nabaja is challenging Tabujara for the mayoralty seat./JB, WDJ