In a democracy, trust is everything. And nowhere is that trust more critical than in the conduct of elections — the sacred process where citizens choose who will lead them. That is why the recent allegation involving Marawi City’s Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Officer, Atty. Norpaisa Paglala-Naduyog, must not be taken lightly.
According to a report from Balitang Maranao, the COMELEC officer was allegedly seen making a secret visit to the residence of incumbent Mayor Majul Gandamra — a move that, if true, raises serious questions about the impartiality of the very institution tasked with safeguarding our electoral integrity. Although this claim remains unproven, Balitang Maranao asserts they possess evidence to support it. Such claims deserve a thorough, impartial investigation, not a quick dismissal.
COMELEC officials are more than just administrators of elections. They are custodians of public trust. They are duty-bound to embody the principles of prudence, honesty, and loyalty to the Republic — not to individual politicians or political clans. Their mere presence in partisan spaces, especially in private and unmonitored settings, risks compromising not only their own credibility but also the integrity of the entire electoral process.
This isn’t a simple case of political rivalry or rumor-mongering. The people of Marawi — a city still rebuilding trust and governance in the wake of armed conflict — cannot afford even a whiff of electoral manipulation. A democratic process tainted by bias, favoritism, or secret dealings is a betrayal of every voter’s right to a fair and transparent election.
The situation is further aggravated by reports that schoolteachers witnessed alleged money distribution inside the Marawi Division office, in the presence of the Adiong siblings — including Bombit Adiong — with supposed endorsement from the city’s education superintendent. These are serious allegations of vote-buying and abuse of institutional platforms. If substantiated, this would not only violate election laws but also corrode the ethical foundation of our civil service institutions.
In areas like Sagonsongan, where past elections have already been shadowed by allegations of fraud, the calls for tighter monitoring, transparency, and accountability must not fall on deaf ears. People are rightfully asking: can we still trust the process if the very people mandated to protect it are seen cozying up with the powerful?
It must be made clear: elections are not a playground for political alliances. They are a battleground for democratic choice. All candidates, regardless of their political affiliation, deserve equal treatment. All voters, regardless of their status, deserve to cast their vote in a system that is fair, open, and free from fear or manipulation.
To the COMELEC — your silence or inaction in the face of these allegations will only deepen public cynicism. If these claims are false, say so with clarity and evidence. If they hold weight, take action without fear or favor. The people are watching — and they deserve answers.
Marawi cannot afford to go back to a time when political power was synonymous with impunity. The only way forward is through truth, accountability, and the unwavering protection of our democratic processes.
Let the vote be sacred. Let neutrality be non-negotiable. Let the will of the people — not backroom deals — decide the future of Marawi.