MANILA, Dec 10 (PNA) — Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Juan Andres Bautista denied blackmailing the Supreme Court (SC) after he stated the possibility of postponing the May 2016 elections because of the temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by the latter against their “No Bio No Boto” policy.
With this, he noted that he did not have the courage to do such with the High Court.
“How can I even blackmail the SC?” said Bautista.
Over the weekend, the poll body chief warned the possibility of moving the next year’s polls due to the delays in their preparation brought about by the TRO.
Earlier, the SC issued a TRO stopping the implementation of the policy based on the petition filed by Kabataan party-list.
Bautista noted how the TRO on the deactivation of the registered voters without biometrics would affect their preparation since they cannot finalize the Project of Precincts, number of vote counting machines and official ballots, and in the customization of the automated election system (AES).
Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon accused the Comelec chief of blackmailing the High Tribunal for it to lift the TRO by claiming fears of having delayed elections.
On the other hand, Bautista is happy with the decision of the SC to include the said case in the agenda for its special session on Dec. 16.
“I am very pleased with that development,” he added.
The poll body chief said that he already sent his letter to the High Court about the practical and operational concerns of the Comelec over the TRO.
On the other hand, Bautista said they were set to submit their required affidavit to the SC on Friday. (PNA)