Did the President smell trouble? Warns to use military if poll violence, cheating erupt

PRESIDENT DUTERTE, who is gunning for the vice presidency in next year’s polls, has warned to use the military if there is cheating or violence during elections where Filipinos are to choose their new set of leaders.

But Duterte’s warning sent chills to those who were victims of the military’s meddling in the political exercises in the past, especially during the time of the Marcos dictatorial regime, President Gloria Arroyo and even under the administration of President Benigno Aquino III where soldiers allegedly harassed and intimidated politicians to either withdraw their candidacy, cheat or support government candidates.

“Nobody wants trouble, nobody wants cheating. But minsan — hindi kayo, but pass this on, this message to everybody outside here na sabi ko nakikiusap na ako, I am pleading, almost praying that people will really stick to the rule of law and avoid violence kasi ‘pag hindi, unahan ko na kayo.”

“Then I will be forced to use the might of the military not for any purpose, but to see to it that the election is peaceful and violence-free. Iyan ang hiling ko, not only here but all places on — in the Philippines, lahat, ganoon ang message ko,” Duterte said at the  inauguration recently of a provincial hospital in Sultan Kudarat’s Isulan town.

Duterte, whose rule is marred with accusations of extrajudicial killings and corruption allegations, said he hopes for a peaceful election that will allow people to vote freely for the candidates of their choice.

At the same time, he expressed readiness for a dialogue with all political leaders, and those participating in the electoral process to ensure orderly polls. “Gusto ko sana na makita ang Maguindanao, ang Sultan Kudarat, and every province, Cotabato City, na walang gulo,” he said.

“I am hesitant really to say this. In the forthcoming election, I am still the President. And just like in the last elections that we have had during my term, sinabi ko there will be a peaceful election. So hindi puwede ‘yang terrorism, lahat na,” he said. 

But a political analyst Dennis Coronacion told CNN Philippines that Duterte’s intention to join the vice presidential race could make things more complicated. 

“The way I see it, parang 'yung calling out power ng president, hindi naman siya intended for election-related activities.Baka bukod sa question of constitutionality or legality, another question is may conflict of interest eh, considering he’s a candidate. Mapag-iisipan pa siya ng masama either ng mga kalaban niya sa pulitika or mga botante. Baka sabihin na self-interest ang inu-una kaya ginagawa 'yan ng presidente,” he said.

CNN Philippines also another political analyst, Edmund Tayao, who said: “It’s not like it’s the first time that the President is going to consider (using) the military to ensure that how he plans to accomplish something. It’s that it is an option.” 

Constitutionalist Christian Monsod, who once served as chairman of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), said that whoever controls the police and military during elections must be kept in check against abuses. He particularly flagged how the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) could be “weaponized” during the election period, which spans from January until June.

“The principle is that those who have powers are people who should use those powers with restraint. If the Supreme Court upholds it (ATA), we have another problem because it can be used for election purposes. There are many variables here on what could happen during the elections,” Monsod told CNN Philippines.

The Constitution states that a sitting president can only call upon the military to respond to invasion, rebellion, or lawless violence, which must be justified before Congress and the Supreme Court.

In the same news report, COMELEC spokesman James Jimenez said the poll body has the authority to address security threats and violence by imposing its control on specific parts of the country, a power formalized through COMELEC Resolution 10481 issued in January 2019.

However, former COMELEC Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, said the poll body’s authority is not absolute. “The COMELEC has the power to deputize law enforcement agencies, et cetera, including the AFP, to ensure free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections but, and only if, the President concurs with the power of the COMELEC to deputize the agencies, instrumentalities above-mentioned,” Sarmiento said in a text message to CNN Philippines, stressing that this was provided for under the 1987 Constitution.

Elections in the country are traditionally violent with supporters and followers of rival politicians clashing over control of their territories. (Mindanao Examiner, CNN Philippines, PCOO)