ATENEO COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Chief Commissioner Jon Andre Vergara was impeached by the Student Judicial Court (SJC) for “gross negligence” during the recent freshmen and special elections.
In a decision released September 1, the SJC found Vergara guilty of failing “to facilitate the logistical need of the election leading to the delay [sic] opening of voting centers by 9:30 AM.” Commissioner Margaux Tan was named the new Chief Commissioner.
The court ruled that Vergara “did not exert the due diligence expected of a project head for carrying out the freshman elections in a manner that was fitting to his title and responsibilities towards the event.”
Vergara was absent during preparations on the first day of elections. In his testimony, he cited his classes as a reason, and that he delegated his responsibilities to an associate commissioner before the polling. He also said he saw a voting center open late and was informed about technical and equipment problems.
The SJC said Vergara should have prioritized dealing with the election delay over his other extra-curricular commitments as the Comelec ordeal was an emergency situation.
“As both his responsibilities in Comelec and [the Department of Student Welfare and Services (DSWS)] are extra-curricular endeavors, Commissioner Vergara should have given higher priority to the delay over a casual task in another organization, ” the court said. Vergara went to his shift at the DSWS right after his class before dealing with the mentioned problem.
“I don’t have any reactions whatsoever,” Vergara said in a text message. “Like I said, come what may.”
He added that he will not be appealing his case. Vergara was tried August 26.
