(This article just shows that Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, Sr. does not know the law. He does not even know what is right and what is wrong. He is the laughing-stock of the media and he should just keep his mouth shut. He talks without thinking and then he just ignores all comments as if he did not say anything. He is a master of denying his mistakes. No wonder our justice system is one of the worst in the world...it is because we have the worst Justice Secretary in the world.)
By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Congressional candidate Vicente "Benjie" Gengos has called on the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to investigate the reported open declaration made by Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez Sr. that he will give barangay captains a "bonus" if they will deliver a sweep for administration senatorial candidates in their barangay this May 14 elections.
"While this is still just a pronouncement, this is reflective of the mindset of the administration to ensure its victory," said Gengos, the Liberal Party candidate for congressman running against Gonzalez's son.
Gonzalez has offered P10,000 to each of the 180 barangay captains of Iloilo City or a total of P1.8 million if they can deliver a 12-0 sweep for the Team Unity bets in their villages.
Gonzalez, a staunch ally of President Macapagal-Arroyo, confirmed that he made the offer during a meeting with the barangay captains in a restaurant here last Sunday.
"It's a prize if they will work for the sweep," Gonzalez said in a telephone interview.
The Justice Secretary who served for three terms as congressman of the city's lone district said he sees nothing wrong with his offer and does not consider it a violation of election rules.
"I'm not a candidate and I'm not buying votes. (The offer) is for the barangay captains," said Gonzalez.
When asked where the money would come from, Gonzalez said he will get it from his own pocket.
"I have money," he said.
But he said that while he got assurances from the barangay captains to work for a sweep for the administration, he does not expect everybody to deliver.
Gonzalez is known for his vaunted clout among the city's barangay captains who regularly attend meetings called by the Justice Secretary.
His call for an administration sweep is a reversal of his earlier instructions to the barangay captains to only support "purists and loyalists" of the President in the elections. He had earlier said that he will not support administration senatorial candidates who have not supported and have even opposed programs and policies of the President in the past three years.
Gonzalez also confirmed reports that in the same meeting he had asked the barangay captains to ensure that two opposition candidates for city councilor, Perla Zulueta and Nielex Tupas, will not enter the winning circle.
Asked why he specified the two candidates, Gonzalez said: "They are attacking me. Do you think I would be crazy enough to tell the public to vote for them?"
Zulueta is running for re-election while Tupas is the youngest child of Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. who has drawn ire from the administration after he, along with former Senate President Franklin Drilon, broke ties with the President on July 2005.
Governor Tupas had blamed Gonzalez for the controversial January 17 armed assault on the Iloilo provincial capitol to implement a dismissal order against Tupas. Gonzalez has repeatedly denied that he had a hand in the dismissal of Tupas and in the assault.
The Comelec in Western Visayas said it will still gather facts on Gonzalez's pronouncement.
"(The) giving of money is prohibited in the campaign period especially by candidates to officials or supporters. That is considered vote-buying," lawyer Renato Magbutay, Comelec regional director, said in a telephone interview.
But he said they could not act or determine whether Gonzalez had violated any election law if there is no formal complaint and no witness would come forward to execute an affidavit.
Magbutay pointed out that while Gonzalez is not a candidate, his son and namesake Raul Gonzalez Jr. is running for re-election as congressman of the city.
"As an official, supporter and as a citizen, he can voice (his support to an party or candidate). But the giving of money will be a different matter especially (if given) to barangay captains," said Magbutay.
But Magbutay said they could not act on a pronouncement.
"If this is consummated, this would constitute a violation of the Omnibus Election Code and could be considered as vote-buying," said Magbutay.
Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code states that a person is guilty of vote-buying or vote-selling if the person "gives, offers or promises money or anything of value, gives or promises any office or employment, franchise or grant, public or private, or makes or offers to make an expenditure, directly or indirectly, or cause an expenditure to be made to any person, association, corporation, entity, or community in order to induce anyone or the public in general to vote for or against any candidate or withhold his vote in the election, or to vote for or against any aspirant for the nomination or choice of a candidate in a convention or similar selection process of a political party."
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