Massive fake drug test results submitted to COMELEC exposed

By EMY C. BONIFACIO
October 23, 2007

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar  –  The Provincial COMELEC Office, this city, has been furnished a copy of a letter-complaint forwarded by ten (10) would be candidates in the forthcoming synchronized Barangay and SK elections, coming from the Municipality of Matuguinao, Samar, on alleged fake drug test results submitted by almost 60% of its candidates.

Based on the complaint, a certain candidate was able to get copies of drug test results of Erlinda Verano Diaz and Jeffrey Velarde Sorio, candidates for Barangay Captains of Brgy. Rizal and San Isidro, both in the Municipality of Matuguinao, respectively. The said results, duly certified by the COMELEC Officer forms part of the documentary requirements submitted by the candidates on the last day of the filing of the Certificate of Candidacy (COCs), were being suspected as fake considering that these candidates were monitored to have failed to undergo actual drug testing, since its mandatory requirement was disseminated.

A close scrutiny of the documents revealed that the two drug test results, purportedly issued by the Calbayog Drug Testing Services in Calbayog City, have the same transaction numbers, accession numbers, date and time received and reported and a very prominent tampering on the portions of the names, ages, sex and birthdates, which were typewritten as reflected on the drug test reports.  This has caused alarm among the rest of the candidates, thus, they have requested to check on the drug test results of their opponents at the COMELECs Office, Matuguinao.  A massive fraud perceived by the opposition candidates, made them decide to bring the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation, Samar District.

The initial investigation reported the release of a Certification dated October 20, 2007, issued by Ma. Eppie T. Villanueva, RMT, Analyst of Calbayog Drug Testing Services, that attests to the non-existence of the names of Erlinda V. Diaz and Jeffrey V. Sorio in the logbook of their drug test results neither in the computer files on-line with the DOH-DTOMIS. It further disclosed the name of the original holder of the said drug test result which has been copied and tampered to appear as the original drug test results of the candidates who are allegedly supported by a high ranking politician in the municipality. The certifications confirmed that the results submitted to the COMELEC were not authentic and genuine.

Meanwhile, an interview conducted with the complainants revealed that there were individuals who are behind the solicitation of the amount of Seven Hundred Pesos (P700.00) from the administration candidates in exchange for the COC forms, documentary stamps, pictures, COMELEC subscription and a drug test, as package deals. Prominent names have been mentioned to have direct hand in manipulating the electoral processes.  One of the witnesses was even quoted as saying, “the COMELEC Officer must have knowledge about this fraud since he has accepted said photocopied/tampered drug test results of some candidates contrary to the required submission of the original and without the candidates personally appearing and signing in the logbook of the COMELEC. I hope that this matter will get media’s attention and the COMELEC’s thorough investigation to uncover the people behind the anomaly…We will really appreciate it if this matter will be brought to the attention of the national television programs like the XXX or Imbestigador for forewarn others of a similar problem”.