Makabayan bloc files complaint vs NTF-Elcac

From the Manila Times (Mar 26, 2022): Makabayan bloc files complaint vs NTF-Elcac (By Moises Cruz)

OFFICIALS and party-list representatives from the Makabayan Coalition filed a criminal complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Friday against Lorraine Marie Badoy, undersecretary for new media of the Presidential Communications Operations Office, and officials of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-Elcac) for violations of the Omnibus Election Code in relation to accusations linking them to the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing the New People's Army (NPA) and the umbrella group National Democratic Front (NDF).

Signatories to the complaint affidavit are Makabayan Deputy Secretary General Roberto de Castro, Makabayan and Bayan Muna President Saturnino "Satur" Ocampo, incumbent Rep. Sara Jane Elago of Kabataan party-list, Bayan Muna first nominee Teodoro "Teddy" Casiño and incumbent Rep. Arlene Brosas of Gabriela Women's Party.

According to the affidavit, "NTF-Elcac deliberately, willfully and willingly issued the subject statements through its official Facebook page and official website, such acts constituting election violations."

Makabayan cited a number of statements made by Badoy through the task force that they claimed were fake news.

They went on to say they were provided not just to campaign against them as candidates, but also to intimidate the general public into not attending their rallies or voting for them.

The group argued that the act could not be justified as "personal opinions" or protected speech because the statements were signed, issued and circulated through the NTF-Elcac's official channels.

One example that it presented is the March 21 statement of the task force on Vice President Maria Leonor "Leni" Robredo.

The statement mentioned that "she knowingly made concessions with the terrorist CPP-NPA-NDF — to earn their endorsement by way of KABAG-KABATAAN, ANAKPAWIS, BAYAN MUNA, ACT and GABRIELA — who are urban operatives of the CPP-NPA-NDF."

Makabayan demanded that they exercise their right to have their complaint given priority investigation by the Comelec and its officials, so that the NTF-Elcac's actions would be investigated promptly and their liabilities resolved within the legal period.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/03/26/news/national/makabayan-bloc-files-complaint-vs-ntf-elcac/1837647