(Update) Security tight at Comelec after bomb threat

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tightened its security following a bomb threat in their main office in Intramuros, Manila, Wednesday morning. "Bilang (as a) response to this, we will ask for double measures," said Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez in an interview aired on GMA News’ Flash Report. Comelec staff Virginia Bayer said an unidentified man phoned them and claimed a bomb has been planted at the third floor of the Comelec annex office. She quoted the man as saying that the threat was in protest for a certain "Miriam." "Sabi niya may tinanim kaming bomba diyan, protesta para kay Miriam ito (He said they planted a bomb here, in protest for Miriam)," Bayer told radio dzBB in an interview. Responding bomb experts from the Manila Police District (MDP), however, found no explosives after a thorough inspection of the entire area.

Miriam It was not clear whether the caller was referring to re-electionist Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago, who is facing a disqualification case before the poll body. Santiago’s office nevertheless issued a statement condemning the incident as a “cheap theatrics" to malign the lawmaker. "It is appalling that the detractors of Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago have resorted to cheap theatrics to malign her. We condemn this barbaric act and call on the electorate for vigilance against such dirty political machinations," said lawyer Camille Sevilla, Santiago's chief of staff. Sevilla urged the police to investigate the matter immediately and arrest the perpetrators. The disqualification case against Santiago was filed by lawyer Nombraan Pangcoga, who said the feisty senator, known for her sharp tongue and fancy rhetoric during speeches, “appears to be suffering from a severe mental disorder." Pangacoga is reportedly the former executive assistant for Muslim Affairs to then Executive Secretary Rafael Salas and the former director of the Southern Philippines Development (now the Mindanao Development Authority). - with Sophia Dedace and Amita Legaspi/KBK, GMANews.TV