Palace: Voiding Maguindanao votes ‘not in order’

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 05:40pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Voiding the Maguindanao elections due to allegations of massive fraud would unduly disenfranchise the southern Philippine province’s close to 300,000 voters, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“I believe the suggestion to void the elections is not in order especially that it’s only on the basis of a single, uncorroborated testimony,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye told reporters in an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport minutes before departing for Japan with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Bunye was reacting to a news report that a public school teacher involved in Maguindanao canvassing had allegedly confessed to manipulating the ballots in the province to achieve a 12-0 sweep for TEAM Unity.

On Sunday, Carlos Medina, co-convener of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections or Lente, said the female teacher claimed that armed guards watched over her and other colleagues as they were forced to fill up blank ballots with the names of administration senatorial candidates on the eve of the elections, starting with Luis “Chavit” Singson and Prospero Pichay.

But Bunye said that “we will be harming the democratic process if these 300,000 or so votes will be disenfranchised without due process.”

Comelec has suspended the canvassing of votes from Maguindanao, which has 289,028 registered voters.

The Palace was also viewing positively the Commission on Elections’ creation of a task force to look into the allegation of massive poll fraud in Maguindanao.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, who on Monday described the report as “very alarming,” ordered the formation of a task force to be headed by Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, officer in charge in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

At the same time, Abalos urged whistleblowers to provide proofs to back up their claims, saying: “It’s very easy to make allegations.”

Arroyo and her economic advisers left for Japan Tuesday for a three-day visit, during which they will brief businessmen on the progress of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agrement, Trade Secretary Peter Favila said. With reports form Veronica Uy, INQUIRER.net, and Agence France-Presse

Palace: Voiding Maguindanao votes ‘not in order’

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 05:40pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Voiding the Maguindanao elections due to allegations of massive fraud would unduly disenfranchise the southern Philippine province’s close to 300,000 voters, Malacañang said Tuesday.

“I believe the suggestion to void the elections is not in order especially that it’s only on the basis of a single, uncorroborated testimony,” Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye told reporters in an interview at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport minutes before departing for Japan with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Bunye was reacting to a news report that a public school teacher involved in Maguindanao canvassing had allegedly confessed to manipulating the ballots in the province to achieve a 12-0 sweep for TEAM Unity.

On Sunday, Carlos Medina, co-convener of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections or Lente, said the female teacher claimed that armed guards watched over her and other colleagues as they were forced to fill up blank ballots with the names of administration senatorial candidates on the eve of the elections, starting with Luis “Chavit” Singson and Prospero Pichay.

But Bunye said that “we will be harming the democratic process if these 300,000 or so votes will be disenfranchised without due process.”

Comelec has suspended the canvassing of votes from Maguindanao, which has 289,028 registered voters.

The Palace was also viewing positively the Commission on Elections’ creation of a task force to look into the allegation of massive poll fraud in Maguindanao.

Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos, who on Monday described the report as “very alarming,” ordered the formation of a task force to be headed by Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, officer in charge in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

At the same time, Abalos urged whistleblowers to provide proofs to back up their claims, saying: “It’s very easy to make allegations.”

Arroyo and her economic advisers left for Japan Tuesday for a three-day visit, during which they will brief businessmen on the progress of the Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agrement, Trade Secretary Peter Favila said. With reports form Veronica Uy, INQUIRER.net, and Agence France-Presse

Comelec might proclaim ’some’ senators on May 26

INQUIRER.net
Last updated 04:47pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Elections might have a partial proclamation of winning senators on May 26, the original deadline it set for itself for the completion of the canvass of votes, Comelec Chairman Benjamin Abalos said Tuesday.

Pressed to say how many it had prepared to proclaim, Abalos told reporters in a press conference: “It’s anybody’s guess.”

The poll chief said the decision would have to be made after all the votes were added from all the certificates of canvass delivered to them from the provinces, cities, and diplomatic and labor posts.

He said the Comelec en banc, convened as the national board of canvassers, could proclaim “some senators” if they see that the results would not be changed by the votes from places where elections would still be held or from places where the canvass was being questioned.

The Comelec has scheduled special elections in 13 towns in Lanao Del Sur on May 26, and several other places in Shariff Kabunsuan, Sulu, and Basilan.

Palace: Local poll results ‘vote for political stability’

By Lira Dalangin-Fernandez
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 02:56pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has balked at the remarks of a religious leader who had advised the Palace to accept the election results in the senatorial race, which based on the ongoing tallies the opposition has been dominating.

The statement to the Palace had been issued by El Shaddai leader Mike Vearde who, after attending a prayer rally in Hong Kong, had told the Arroyo administration to accept the results of the senatorial polls and instead focus on restoring the “credibility and confidence” in the government.

Velarde, Arroyo’s spiritual adviser, also said that the President should abandon her plans to change the 1987 Constitution.

But Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye countered that it was not the results in the senatorial race but those in the local and congressional levels that reflected a “resounding vote for political stability,” which “augurs well for a strong economy.”

“We thank Brother Mike for his good intentions, but we don’t quite agree with his characterization. The national count is far from over but at the congressional and local levels, there seems to be a resounding vote for political stability, auguring well for a strong economy,” he said.

As for Charter change, Bunye said the President would continue advocating for constitutional reforms, but was leaving the timing and mode to Congress and to the people.

“The President’s advocacy is still there, but she will leave it to our institutions and to the people to determine the when and how,” he said.

Legarda remains on top of Comelec tally

INQUIRER.net
Last updated 02:06pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Loren Legarda continues to top the Commission on Elections’ tally.

As of 12:28 p.m.,Tuesday, Legarda garnered 8,696,477. She is followed by Francis Escudero (GO), 8,694,761; Panfilo Lacson (GO), third, 7,269,686; Benigno Aquino III (GO), fourth, 7,128,833; Manuel Villar (GO), fifth, with 7,082,867; Francis Pangilinan (independent), sixth, 6,973,084;

Edgardo Angara (TEAM Unity), seventh, 6,299,843; Joker Arroyo, eighth (TU), 5,814,297; Ralph Recto (TU), ninth, 5,664,606; Alan Cayetano (GO), 10th, 5,613,276; Gregorio Honasan (independent), 11th, 5, 500,077; Juan Miguel Zubiri (TU), 12th, 5,166,890.

Legarda still leading Namfrel partial, unofficial tally

By Thea Alberto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 12:22pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Genuine Opposition senatorial candidate Loren Legarda has remained on top in the latest unofficial, partial tally of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

As of 10:58 a.m. Tuesday, Legarda garnered 9,103,567 votes from at least 128,557 precincts or 57.20 percent of the total number of precincts.

Francis Escudero (GO) is second, with 8,900,587 votes; Panfilo Lacson (GO), third, 7,887,955; Manuel Villar (GO), fourth, with 7,491,080; Francis Pangilinan (independent), fifth, with 7,102,947; Benigno Aquino III (GO), sixth, with 7,093,108;

Edgardo Angara (TEAM Unity), seventh, with 6,255,200; Gregorio Honasan (independent), eighth, with 5,971,938; Alan Cayetano (GO), ninth, with 5,793, 037; Antonio Trillanes IV (GO), 10th, with 5,651,727; Joker Arroyo (TU), 11th, with 5,611,185; and Aquilino Pimentel III (GO), 12th, with 5,461,121.

Pimentel says his Davao City votes shaved, added to Recto’s

By Veronica Uy

Last updated 09:38pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
PASAY CITY, Philippines — Opposition senatorial bet Aquilino Pimentel III on Tuesday said some of his votes in Davao City were shaved and padded to Senator Ralph Recto’s.

In the evening newscast of television network ABS-CBN, Pimentel said a new law making vote padding and shaving of more than 5,000 punishable by imprisonment should be tested in this case.

But Recto’s office denied having a hand in the alleged fraud, saying the “unfortunate incident” might have been carried out to cast doubt on his possible reelection.

“The unfortunate incident in which we do not have a hand in has put us in a bad light that we do not rule out the possibility that it was maliciously done to impugn the reputation of our campaign which we have conducted in a fair and high-level manner,” Recto’s chief of staff Aristotle Liwag said in a statement.

“We are concerned that this act to sabotage Senator Recto’s candidacy might be used to put a cloud of doubt on the mandate he will receive from the people,” he added.

At the same time, Liwag said they support the call of the Commission on Elections and National Movement for Free Elections to investigate the alleged incident.

Bayan Muna tops Namfrel tally, Buhay leads Comelec canvass

By Thea Alberto, Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 03:15pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — The left-leaning Bayan Muna (People First) has maintained its top post in the latest tally of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel).

In its 10:58 a.m. tally Tuesday, Bayan Muna had 231,506 votes from at least 128,557 precincts or 57.20 percent of the total number of precincts.

It is followed by Buhay, a partylist group affiliated with the religious group El Shaddai, with 227,452 votes.

But at the canvassing of the Commission on Elections, Buhay has climbed to the top spot with 557,816 votes, toppling Bayan Muna, which had received 452,834 votes.

Ranked third in the partylist count of the Comelec as of 1 p.m. was CIBAC (342,961); fourth was APEC (279,911); fifth was Butil (276,719), Gabriela (263,892), at sixth; Alagad (257,105), seventh; A Teacher (245,290), eighth; Akbayan (198,781), ninth; and ARC (193,731), 10th.

Leviste to Comelec: Don’t thwart will of Batangas voters

By Marlon Alexander Luistro
Southern Luzon Bureau
Last updated 03:26pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
BATANGAS CITY, Philippines — Batangas Board Member Mark Leviste has asked the Commission on Elections to lift its suspension order on his proclamation as vice governor.

Official Comelec results showed that Leviste won the province’s vice governor race garnering 334,847 votes, followed by Edwin Ermita, 316,578; actor Christopher de Leon, 150,817; Praxedes Bustamante, 2,006; and Fortunata Magsombol, 665.

Lawyer Gloria Ramos-Petallo, chairman of the provincial board of canvassers (BOC), signed the certificate of votes canvassed.

On May 18, however, Ermita filed before the Comelec a motion to declare a failure of elections in Sto. Tomas and Taysan towns in Batangas. Commissioner Resurrecion Borra approved the petition at around 4:50 p.m. that day.

Ermita alleged that Leviste and re-electionist Gov. Armando Sanchez violated the Omnibus Election Law ranging from vote buying, burning of a public school, and use of government vehicles for the distribution and posting of Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino’s campaign materials.

In a 16-page affidavit submitted to the Comelec, a copy of which was handed to the Inquirer, Leviste said there was no reason why the elected vice governor should not be proclaimed when the winning candidates for governor, board members, municipal mayors, vice mayors and councilors have been proclaimed.

Leviste said Borra had no authority to sign the order suspending his proclamation for the Comelec en banc. “We take note that the order of May 18, 2007 is an ‘en banc order.’ Under Sec. 5 Rule 2 of the Comelec rules of procedure, it is Chairman Benjamin Abalos who signs interlocutory resolutions, orders or rulings,” he said.

He argued that Borra, as the chairman of the Comelec’s first division, had authority to sign interlocutory resolutions, orders or rulings and temporary restraining orders “in cases already assigned to the Division.”

“It seems that there is no particular provision of the Comelec rules of civil procedure authorizing a presiding commissioner of a division to sign for the Comelec en banc. With all due respect, the order of suspension of proclamation is not validly issued,” Leviste said in of his appeal.

Speaking before Monday’s press conference, Leviste said the Comelec order was issued with apparent undue haste, noting that Borra gave credence to what he claimed to be Ermita’s baseless allegations without even hearing his side.

“I won and in my humble opinion, I deserve it. The choice of the Batangueños is clear and their will should not be suppressed on the whim of a desperate, disgruntled and sourgraping candidate,” he said referring to Edwin Ermita.

inquirer.net 

Cop faces arson, murder raps over Batangas school fire

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 03:06pm (Mla time) 05/22/2007
MANILA, Philippines — Charges of arson resulting to multiple homicide and multiple physical injuries will be filed on Tuesday against a police team leader over the burning of a school in Taysan town, Batangas province last week, an official said.

This developed after a witness positively identified Inspector Robert Marinda of the Regional Special Operations Group (RSOG) as “one of those responsible” for the torching of the Pinagbayanan elementary school, said Director Geary Barias, chief of the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM).

“We believe we have a very strong case, because of the positive ID… and the circumstances surrounding all those things,” Barias told a news conference in Camp Crame.

The case will be filed before the Batangas provincial prosecutors’ office, Barias said.

A teacher and a poll watcher were killed and six others were wounded after a fire razed the Pinagbayanan elementary school at around 3 a.m. on May 15, the day after the mid-term elections.

Marinda is among four policemen under restrictive custody over the incident. He was transferred to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City,
Laguna province on Monday evening, with Senior Police Officer 1
William Relos Jr., Barias said.

The two others, Taysan municipal police commander Chief Inspector
Elpidio Ramirez, and his deputy, Inspector Ruel de la Cruz, are under the custody of the Batangas Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
(CIDG).

While Ramirez and De la Cruz will remain under investigation for possible administrative lapses, Barias said they could be tapped as witnesses against Marinda and Relos.

Asked if the Calabarzon RSOG chief, Superintendent Roger James
Brillantes, was off the hook, Barias said: “He would still be investigated.”

Interviewed by reporters last Monday, Marinda said their presence in
Taysan before and after the burning was with Brillantes’ consent.

Barias has said that incumbent Taysan Mayor Hernando Villena could have had a hand in the burning.

But Marinda said it was Villena’s rival, Victor Portugal, who could be responsible for the attack, noting that Portugal was losing to Villena
in the counting at the Pinagbayanan elementary school.