An organization has vowed to “haunt” SAGIP party-list Rep Rodante Marcoleta during ghost month with a string of complaints for accusing poll chief George Garcia of corruption.
The Bayanihan para sa Karangalan at Kaunlaran ng mga Pilipino is a group that identifies itself as being composed of seasoned street parliamentarians.
Chairman Elmer Argaño said the group is planning a series of actions against Marcoleta including filing a formal complaint before the House Committee on Ethics, a disbarment case, and a perjury case - all on the same month.
He said the group is also eyeing protest actions against Marcoleta in the coming days.
Their group, he said, are now in talks with at least two congressmen for the possible endorsement of the ethics complaint.
He declined to name the two as they may be harassed if they will expose them prematurely.
"Gusto naming mumultuhin siya nitong kaso na ito sa month of August. Kaya hindi nya makakalimutan itong buwan na ito,” Argaño said.
(We want to haunt him (Marcoleta) with our filed case within August. He will not forget this month.)
Asked how they can pursue a perjury case against Marcoleta who refuses to swear on his allegations against Garcia, Argaño said: “Yun nga po ang problema. Marites eh.”
“Ang sagwa na ang isang mambabatas mo ay Marites. Yun po ay batik (sa serbisyo-publiko)."
(It’s so appalling to see a lawmaker who is a gossiper. It’s a disdain in public service.)
Even former Caloocan congressman Edgar Erice who is eyeing a political comeback via mayoralty post in the city, will also be subjected to the group’s negative campaigning, its leaders declared.
Erice has been a constant critic of Garcia’s leadership in the Comelec, which was highlighted by the former’s recent claim that Garcia was keeping six local bank accounts that receive supposed grease money in exchange of the election contract.
Garcia has already answered the two politicians' allegations coupled by his gathered bank documents as evidence.
“May plano po ang organisasyon na ikakampanya namin si congressman Erice na huwag nang muling mahalal sa darating na eleksyon sa 2025,” Argaño said.
(Our organization plans to campaign against congressman Erice, so people will no longer vote for him in 2025.)
Their volunteer-lawyers are now writing the ethics complaint against Marcoleta, according to Henna Caipang, BAYANIHAN Region VI Director.
“We are working on that, 'yung pagsampa ng kaso, disbarment sa Supreme Court. Kasi 'yung mga statement ni Marcoleta, will affect the integrity of the forthcoming election. It will create chaos,” Caipang said.
BAYANIHAN leaders insist they have no connections personally or professionally with Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia, who is being accused by Marcoleta, of keeping offshore bank accounts, with the monies coming from the Commission’s contracted election partner, Miru Systems Company Limited.
“Hindi po kami naga-abogado kay Chairman Garcia. Ang pinagtatanggol po namin dito ang demokrasya. Hindi po namin kamag-anak si Chairman Garcia,” Jervino Maglunob, BAYANIHAN President, said.
(We are not lawyering for Chairman Garcia. We are actually defending our democracy. We are not related to him.)
Asked if they are being funded, Argaño replied: “Kanya-kanya pong tulong ito.”
“Amin pong binabalikat ito... mananawagan po kami ng suporta dahil kailangan po ito dahil siyempre, malaking tao... hihingi po kami ng suporta talaga sa lahat ng pwedeng sumuporta,” Argaño said.
(We are shouldering all these. But we are asking for everyone’s support because we are fighting an influential person.)
Garcia did not attend the group’s news conference.
In the weekly “Kapihan sa Manila Bay” news forum Wednesday, the Comelec chief denied any ties with the group but said he will not stop their plans.
“Bakit naman po ako magpapa-file ng iba? Kung tutuusin ako dapat mag-file eh. Sa akin galing dokumento eh. Sino pa ba makakapag-testigo dun kung hindi ako. Hindi ko po ano yung ginagawa ng grupong ganyan,” Garcia said.
(Why should I ask others to file for me. It should be me who should file (the complaint) because the document came from me and only I can testify. I have nothing to do with that group.)
As to his earlier declaration that he will file an ethics complaint against Marcoleta, Garcia told the public to just wait for his next action.
