In the wake of the investigation into the suspected data breach at voting system vendor Smartmatic, election watchdog Kontra Daya called on Senator Imee Marcos to quit as head of the Senate committee on electoral reforms on Saturday.

Imee must resign from her position as Kontra Daya convenor due to “delicadeza,” according to Kontra Daya convenor Danilo Arao, who noted a possible “conflict of interest” between her position and her brother’s candidacy former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

Imee previously disclosed a “security breach” in the Smartmatic system, which serves as the software provider for the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in the Eleksyon 2022.

“There is a certain degree of optics involved doon sa parang awkward moment na ang naglilead ng imbestigasyon ay kapatid ng kasalukuyang tumatakbo para sa pagkapangulo,” Arao remarked during Annabel’s media forum.

(There is a certain degree of optics involved there and it is a seemingly awkward moment that the one who is leading the investigation is the sister of the current running for president.)

“Kaya nga ang panawagan din ng Kontra Daya, hindi naman kailangan magresign ni Imee Marcos sa Senado, pero magresign naman sana siya bilang chair ng Senate committee on electoral reforms,” he added.

(That is why Kontra Daya also called, Imee Marcos does not need to resign from the Senate, but she should resign as a chair of the Senate committee on electoral reforms.)

However, he emphasized that there are many senators who may “stand up” to ensure that the investigation has a “certain degree of independence.”

Arao said the situation must be examined, but urged Imee and other incumbent senators running in May 2022 Election to refrain from participating. They are Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao and Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III. – WhatALife!

Source: (newsinfo.inquirer.net)

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