ArchivesMay 2013CHR warns candidates against using minors

CHR warns candidates against using minors

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Special investigator Jess Canete of the Commission on Human Rights in Negros Oriental has issued a stern warning against political candidates to refrain from exploiting minors in their bid to get elected into government office in the May 13 polls.

“These perpetrators may not yet be identified as of now, but later on, if there is enough identification and evidence against them, I will make sure that they will be prosecuted,” said Canete. The act of exploiting minors for such purpose is a gross violation and is punishable by law, specifically under Republic Act 7610, he added.

Canete’s warning came after a 14-year old boy, whose name is withheld being a minor, disclosed that he and a companion were paid P50 each about a week ago to distribute a two-page document to the public, specifically at the Dumaguete Public Market.

It took them half a day to randomly hand out the papers but still had plenty with them when they proceeded to the Marian Priests Center at the St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Compound for lunch being provided by the Franciscan sisters running the feeding program of the Diocese of Dumaguete.

Sr. Maria, a Franciscan nun, whose attention was called by a volunteer who saw the bundles of paper later, took them away from the boys and warned them to stop distributing these to the people.

The first page of the document, which apparently was not printed in full, attacked incumbent Gov. Roel Degamo for his alleged sexual abuses of women, three of whom were named. The second page was a copy of a case filed against the governor for acts of lasciviousness when he was still a municipal councilor of Siaton, Negros Oriental.

The case, which was raised by Degamo’s political opponents since last year, was reported to have been dismissed already.

Canete made a general appeal to stop using blatant black propaganda in discrediting and damaging the honor and reputation of political opponents.

He described the act of distributing the “poison” letters as a desperate act of a candidate who would resort to such practice to seal that person’s bid in the coming polls.

This is way below the belt, especially if that candidate is confident of winning, and instead of gaining more votes, the people will go the opposite way, he added.

This also reflects their true personality and character they have that would hurt their political campaign rather than earn the support and votes of the electorate, he added.

Canete also urged for more education and information campaigns, especially for minors, on the upcoming polls. (PNA) LAP/JFP

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