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A DISQUALIFICATION complaint has been filed against four Masbate local candidates for allegedly broadcasting their campaign propaganda using the province's Emergency Cell Broadcast System (ECBS) that is supposed to be used to send out emergency alerts.
Charged in a 14-page petition for disqualification filed before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Wednesday, April 30, were Masbate Vice Gov. Elisa Tingcungco Kho, her son Masbate 1st District Rep. Richard Kho, her daughter Ara Olga Tingcungco Kho, and Esperanza, Masbate Mayor Fernando Talisic.
The petitioners, Masbate vice gubernatorial candidate Rupert Gadia Sr. and several others, claimed that the campaign propaganda material, presented as an extreme emergency alert message, encouraged the people of Masbate to vote for Rep. Richard Kho for governor, Fernando Talisic for vice governor, Elisa Kho for Masbate's 2nd congressional district, and Ara Olga Kho for Masbate City mayor.
The other petitioners are Gadia's running-mate Masbate gubernatorial candidate and incumbent Masbate City Mayor Socrates Tuason; Noel Tuason, who is running for Masbate's 2nd congressional district; and Ruby Morano, who is running for Masbate City mayor.
"Those who received the alert on their cellphones, including the petitioners, were alarmed and panicky when they simultaneously received the 'emergency messages' inasmuch as they normally warn residents of a forthcoming calamity or disaster," the petitioners said.
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They said the "underhanded campaign gimmick" was aimed to fraudulently enhance the respondents' candidacies.
The false emergency alerts, the petitioners said, were in violation of Republic Act 10639 and Comelec Resolution 11104, particularly Section 30, Article III.
RA 10639 mandates that emergency alerts sent out should only disseminate disaster warnings and evacuation information.
"Abuse of state resources falls within the general rubric of corruption, that is, the use of public resources or power for private ends; what distinguishes abuse of state resources from other acts of corruption is its indispensable electoral component, that is, the acts are committed to gain an advantage and even ensure victory in the elections. It incentivizes political dynasties, like the herein respondents," the petitioners said.
