The Commission on Elections En Banc has issued a resolution reassigning Bacolod Election Officer Mavil Majarucon to Bago City and designating Ryan Castro in her place upon the request of the COMELEC regional director.

COMELEC regional director Dennis Ausan, in his letter to COMELEC chairman Jose Melo dated April 13, 2009, said Majarucon, despite her dedication and assiduousness towards work, has become the object of serious allegations of partisanship that might sooner influence her performance and the credibility of her work as Election Officer of Bacolod.

Ausan said Negros Occidental Election Supervisor Jessie Suarez had confirmed the matter and told him of the possibility of her being moved out of Bacolod.

However, Suarez issued an affidavit on May 5 denying the allegation of Ausan.

He said that what he only discussed with Ausan is that Bacolod is highly politicized and several watchers have been assigned by political parties to personally observe the ongoing registration.

Suarez said he even issued a statement in support of Majarucon.

There is no basis for her transfer, such action should not be based on unfounded gossip, Suares added.

DEMORALIZING

Suarez said that when Ausan discussed with him the possibility of transferring Majarucon to other cities, he told him that it is not possible, considering that such action will demoralize all election officers of Negros Occidental and also all election assistants of Bacolod, considering that Majarucon is doing well in her work as Election Officer of Bacolod.

Majarucon said she will comply with the order of the COMELEC, but will contest her “premature re-assignment,” since the reshuffling of election officers should be done during the election period.

She will file a motion for reconsideration with the COMELEC En Banc since she still has faith in its credibility, she said, adding that she has not seen the alleged complaint against her.

‘UNSUBSTANTIATED, MALICIOUS’

Majarucon said the allegation of Ausan against her is not true, is baseless, unsubstantiated, malicious, and only a figment of his imagination, for the purpose of harassing her.

She said she got the ire of Ausan due to her refusal to attend the regional sportsfest and Christmas party in Roxas City, Capiz last Dec. 11-12, 2008 and also for not allowing any of her election assistants to attend the event because of the ongoing registration of voters.

Majarucon said that, during the event, Ausan commented to Suarez about his displeasure with her for not attending the activity. 

REFUSAL TO SOLICIT

Because of the expenses to be incurred by all the participants in the event, Ausan directed all election officers to solicit money, she said.

Instead, she contributed P2,000 through the Provincial Election Supervisor of Negros Occidental, to avoid violating the Code of Conduct prohibiting all government employees from soliciting, she added.

Majarucon said she also refused to sell raffle tickets initiated by Ausan the proceeds of which, according to him, will subsidize the event.

She said concerned employees of Region VI have filed a very urgent request for investigation of the sportsfest and Christmas party in Capiz, which is a stronghold of the Liberal Party, before the COMELEC chairman.

The complainants claimed that their meals were sponsored by politicians of the place who also delivered speeches during the event.

COMELEC PROBE NO RESULT

Majarucon said COMELEC Manila conducted an investigation before the Holy Week but they do not know the result.

If there is indeed a complaint against her, Majarucon said it is the duty of the regional director to call first her attention and give her the opportunity to defend or explain her side.

By going directly to the COMELEC chairman without discussing the matter with her first, she said, her constitutional right to due process was violated and there was blatant disregard of administrative rules based on existing laws.

Majarucon said Ausan also requested for the reassignment of Iloilo PES Beth Doronila and Ananoria of Aklan.

WHY REGION VI?

Why is he trying to reposition people in the COMELEC and what is he trying to do with Region VI? She asked. There are also petitions in relation to his reassignment of people in the COMELEC, she said.

Majarucon said she is only doing her job and has nothing to prove. The 2007 election in Bacolod was clean and honest and that there was no untoward incident, she said.

Asked if there is a politician behind her reassignment, Majarucon said she does not know.

However, she said she is not questioning her reassignment, knowing that she will not be the election officer in Bacolod during the 2010 elections.*CGS

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