A missing ballot box in Mindanao used in the recent 2019 midterm polls was reportedly found in Datu Salibo, Maguindanao, the Commission on Elections said.
Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said that despite the recovery of the reported missing ballot box, the conduct of May 2019 elections remains clean and fraud-free.
Jimenez made the statement after a Facebook page of losing mayoralty candidate Sam Zailon Esmael posted last June 14 showing a ballot box submerged in water.
However, Esmael, who ran for mayor in the town of Datu Salibo, Maguindanao but lost, claimed in his Facebook post that the existence of such submerged ballot box in a flooded area behind the municipal office, discovered by a passerby who claimed to have been fishing in the flood waters, is an evidence of fraud.
“As mandated by law, custody of ballot boxes after election day is with the city or municipal treasurer of the locality. Ali A. Mamoribid, the municipal treasurer of Datu Salibo, asserts the ballot box found allegedly submerged and abandoned had been stolen from the municipal office by still unidentified persons,” Jimenez said.
“Contrary to allegations made by Esmael and in the absence of any proof of fraud, Datu Salibo Election Officer Mary Ann Marohombsar maintains that the conduct of the May 13 polls in her jurisdiction was fraud-free,” Jimenez said.
The Comelec assured the public that Mamoribid is presently in close coordination with Marohombsar and the Comelec in the province of Maguindanao in aid of investigation being conducted by the Philippine National Police. Vito Barcelo
The Comelec said that allegations of fraud in the May polls can be described as “pranks” and fake news with the intention to taint the integrity of the Comelec.
Jimenez said that investigations are being conducted to set the facts straight and hold to account those who are responsible.
Comelec records showed that Datu Salibo has 9,504 registered voters, where Esmael, garnered only 271 votes out of the estimated 5,000 total votes cast.