SENATE minority leader Franklin Drilon yesterday called on newly appointed Elections Commissioner Aimee Torrefranca-Neri to resign and “save” herself, President Duterte, and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) from “embarrassment and unnecessary distraction that could affect the integrity of the 2022 presidential elections.”
Drilon made the call after lawyer Ferdinand Topacio accused Neri as a “case fixer” for convicted criminal gang leader Herbert Colanggo when she was still an assistant secretary at the Department of Justice.
Topacio is Colanggo’s defense lawyer in a robbery case pending before the Supreme Court.
Drilon said Topacio’s accusations against Neri would cast doubts on the integrity of the May 9 elections.
“The allegations against Commissioner Neri could affect the integrity of the Comelec. Her appointment has created a distraction that can jeopardize the Comelec’s constitutional duty to conduct a fair, credible, and honest 2022 elections,” Drilon said in a statement.
Topacio had questioned the President’s appointment of Neri to the Comelec, alleging she was a “case fixer” for Colanggo, who had reportedly paid her P10 million to secure a favorable decision in the Supreme Court.
When Colanggo was convicted, Neri reportedly returned only P7 million in 2018 and allegedly pocketed the remaining P3 million.
Topacio said: “It is not the issue as to whether the money was returned or not, that is a minor issue in this case. The issue in this case is the act of a public official in claiming to be able to fix cases in the Supreme Court. Such actions undermine the faith of the people in the judicial system and the credibility of our judiciary,” Drilon said.
If Neri refuses to resign, Drilon warned “it will not be smooth sailing” for her when she faces the members of the powerful Commission on Appointments, a constitutional body that confirms or rejects the political appointments of the president.
“In my 24 years of experience, the CA can be merciless sometimes and rightly so because we will be remiss in our constitutional duties if we do not vet the credentials of the appointees,” he said, adding the CA will ask Topacio to substantiate his allegations against Neri.
Drilon also expressed serious concerns and strong disappointment over some political appointments made during the present administration, saying “all appointees to the government posts should be fit and qualified.”
“Unfortunately, what we have witnessed in the last six years are appointees with questionable competency, professionalism and integrity to serve the government and the country,” he said.
Drilon said he is also baffled why Neri kept jumping from one agency to another.
In 2016, Neri worked as an assistant secretary in the DOJ, as deputy commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration in 2017, and undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in 2018 before she was appointed as Comelec commissioner last week.
Elections spokesman James Jimenez said Neri has denied Topacio’s allegations.
In in an interview in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, Jimenez said: “I think Commissioner Neri is ready to answer these allegations. At the proper time, she will call a meeting with the press.” — With Gerard Naval
