First time in RP elections: 2 poll execs running in 2010

For the first time in the history of Philippine elections, two Commission on Elections (Comelec) officers are seeking local elective posts in the May 2010 polls. In an interview with reporters Thursday, Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal identified the election officers as lawyer Raymond Gunda and Mac Laylay. Gunda, who is election officer in the first district of Borongan, Samar, will be running as board member in the second district of the same province. On the other hand, Laylay, who is election officer in Cabugao, Apayao, will be running as mayor in the same municipality. Larrazabal said that both the Gunda and Laylay are still working for the poll body but added that they are not dismissing the matter as insignificant. Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, for his part, said they would not tolerate the actions of the two election officers. "We will not tolerate that because that is total conflict of interest. You make a choice, you run, you resign, or you go on terminal leave," Sarmiento said, adding that they would probably talk with the election officers personally then make them choose. Larrazabal said the entire Comelec would be discussing the matter to formulate a specific plan of action. "The en banc will be discussing this matter." In a separate interview, Comelec Law Department head Ferdinand Rafanan said that the election officers only need to resign at the beginning of the campaign period, which will run from Feb. 9 to May 8 for candidates running for national positions, and March 26 to May 8 for those running for local positions. Earlier, a former commissioner of the Comelec also formalized his bid to run for senator in 2010. Amado Calderon, 73, filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) with the poll body on Tuesday, the last day for the filing of COCs. The filing of COCs ran from November 20 to December 1. Calderon only served as poll body commissioner for almost four months because he was bypassed by the Commission on Appointments. He was appointed by former President Fidel Ramos. He will be running under the Lapiang Manggagawa of Public Works and Highways Secretary Hermogenes Ebdane, who recently backed out of the presidential race. - RSJ/KBK, GMANews.TV