MANILA - The Commission on Elections and the Department of the Interior and Local Government should look into the distribution of campaign shirts of former presidential aide Bong Go during a state-funded event as it is a "glaring violation" of election laws, an opposition senatorial candidate said Wednesday.

Otso Diretso bet Gary Alejano earlier revealed that white polo shirts that bore Go's caricature and name were distributed during the Liga ng mga Barangay National Assembly last month.

"I think that is a matter that ought to be formally investigated by the Comelec," former solicitor general Florin Hilbay told reporters.

"Nakakalungkot, wala tayong naririnig mula sa Comelec kung ano ang gagawin. Kitang-kita ngayon na may pagpikit ng mata ng Comelec dito sa glaring violation," former House Deputy Speaker Erin Tañada added.

(It's sad that we're not hearing anything from the Comelec. It's obvious that the Comelec is turning a blind eye on this glaring violation.)

Go earlier said he had nothing to do with the distribution of his campaign materials in the said gathering of barangay officials.

Go's supporters - "Bayan for Bong Go" - provided the shirts, Liga ng mga Barangay President Faustino Dy said.

• Bong Go shirts distributed in paid Liga ng mga Barangay event
• Bong Go not behind shirts distributed in event: LNB official

Though public funds were not used for the production of the Bong Go campaign shirts, officials and event organizers should still be held liable for the "glaring violation," Tañada said.

Under the Fair Elections Act, partisan entities are prohibited from campaigning in government institutions and functions.

"Ang pinakamababang puwedeng bigyan ng sanction diyan ay 'yung DILG. Imposibleng walang may alam paano nakapasok sa higit isang libo na kits yung shirt ni Bong Go," Tañada said.

(The DILG is the lowest body that can impose sanctions. It's impossible that no one knows how Bong Go's shirts got into almost 1,000 kits.)

"Dapat suspendihin pa ng DILG 'yan dahil obviously, 'yan ay partisan politics," he said.

(The DILG should order a suspension due to partisan politics.)

Last year, Go courted controversy after customized "Bong Go phones" were distributed to Sangguniang Kabataan officials after they participated in an event held in Malacañang.

• 'Bong Go' phones as gov't souvenirs? Duterte aide explains