Erice faces complaint for 'disrupting' Halalan 2025 preps

MANILA — Two private individuals filed a complaint Thursday against former Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice for issuing "false and alarming" media statements regarding the government's preparations for the 2025 elections.

Erice's accusers, who requested anonymity, lodged their complaint before the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Law Department through their lawyer Richard Rosales.

"Basically, ang subject nung complaint na ito ay yung mga statement ni former congressman na sa tingin ng mga complainants are false and alarming," Rosales said.

They particularly cited Erice's statements that Comelec's new contractor Miru Systems will make the Philippines its "guinea pig" and that the contract itself was a "big scam."

They also added Erice's accusations against Comelec chairman George Garcia.

In their 16-page joint complaint affidavit, the complainants argued that Erice's criticisms on how the government prepares for the 2025 elections violate Section 261 sub-section Z-11 of the Omnibus Election Code, which states: "Any person who, for the purpose of disrupting or obstructing the election process or causing confusion among the voters, propagates false and alarming reports or information or transmits or circulates false orders, directives or messages regarding any matter relating to the printing of official ballots, the postponement of the election, the transfer of polling place or the general conduct of the election." 

Rosales explained that they decided to file the complaint so Comelec can rule if there is a basis to take legal action.

They also want Erice to be held accountable for making false allegations.

In a statement, Erice said the complaint against him was "pure harassment."

"The complaint against me simply has no basis and pure harassment and I will not be cowed and will fight for my cause no matter what will be the consequence," Erice said.

The Comelec has repeatedly said there was an ongoing demolition job against them in order to coerce them to use old Smartmatic machines in next year's elections.