The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Saturday afternoon proclaimed 9 winning senators, mostly old-timers at the Senate.
The 9 senators-elect are:
Ramon "Bong" Revilla - 18,218,514
Jinggoy Estrada - 17,722,162
Miriam Defensor Santiago - 16,066,001
Franklin Drion - 14,770,612
Juan Ponce Enrile - 14,695,263
Pia Cayetano - 12,821,946
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. - 12,372,118
Ralph Recto - 11,640,679
Vicente "Tito" Sotto III - 11,160,077
Of the 9 proclaimed winning senators, only Marcos is a first-timer at the Senate. The remaining eight were either incumbent or former senators.
The proclamation was held around 3 p.m. at the Comelec's canvassing center at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.
Drilon and Santiago were not present during the proclamation.
“You are now our representatives. You are now our champions. Do not let us down,” Comelec Chairman Jose Melo told the winning senators during the proclamation.
Melo said the 9 senators were proclaimed because "the remaining uncanvassed certificates of canvass (COCs) will not materially affect the votes obtained by the aforementioned candidates.
Melo announced that the 10th to 12th ranking winning candidates will be proclaimed only after the Comelec recevives the remaining uncanvassed COCs.
Senatorial candidates on 10th to 13th places were Sergio Osmeña III with 10, 996,061, Lito Lapid with 10,327, Teofisto "TG" Guingona III with 9,686,352 and Risa Hontiveros-Baraquel with 8,581,125.
'Statistically improbable'
Baraquel told in an earlier interview over radio dzMM that she was still hoping that she could still catch up.
However, she said she had been advised by a statistician friend that it was already "statistically improbable" for her to make it to the "Magic 12."
"Umaasa pa rin ako pero may statistician akong kaibigan ang sabi niya statistically improbable na na makahabol pa ako (I'm still hoping, but I have a friend who is a statistician and he told me that it's already statistically improbable for me to catch up)," she said.
Baraquel said that she was ready to accept defeat as she believes that the automated elections was a success.
She said that she is still proud that she was made it on 13th place.
"Masaya ako. Hindi naman ako anak ng isang politiko. At least sa eleksyong ito ay umabot ako sa 13 (I'm happy. I'm not a politician’s child. At least, in this elections, I made it on 13th place)," she said.
Showing posts with label 2010 Election Update. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2010 Election Update. Show all posts
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Comelec official says Visayas votes already in
Commission on Elections Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal said Saturday that votes from Visayas, the supposed bailiwick of Liberal Party vice-presidential candidate Manual "Mar" Roxas II, have already been transmitted to the Comelec's central server.
"Pasok na po. Kasama na po iyon (It's already transmitted. It has been included)," Larrazabal told radio dzMM when asked if the the Visayas votes have already been transmitted.
He, however, declined to disclose the latest figures received by the Comelec, particularly on the much-awaited results of the vice-presidential race.
"I cannot release. I have to apologize," he said, adding that people should just wait for Congress to announce the winner in the vice-presidential and presidential races.
Butch Abad, LP leader and campaign manager of Roxas, meanwhile, insisted during a separate radio dzMM interview that not all votes from the Visayas have been transmitted to the servers.
Abad said that at least 30% of the results from all Visayas provinces have not been received by the Comelec.
He said that votes from that 30% would matter in the end part of the counting for the vice-presidential elections.
"A significant portion has not been reported," he said.
Abad said that the LP continues to gather information from their people in Visayas.
In a statement released Saturday, LP's senatorial campaign manager Sen. Francis Pangilinan said that the party will not accept defeat until all votes have been counted by the Congress.
"Walang kukurap (No one should blink)," Pangilinan said.
He said that the LP remains confident that the tandem of Roxas and leading presidential candidate, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will prevail.
The LP claims that Roxas leads Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay by a margin of at least 2 million votes in central and western Visayas regions. The party said Roxas can still win the race by a "hairline" margin.
The other camp, however, said that Binay would win the race based on the current trend.
Binay's camp said if the trends continue 2 million of the uncounted votes would go to Binay and only 1.9 million will go to Roxas.
The group predicts that Binay would emerge as winner with 15.37 million votes against Roxas's 14.44 million.
"Pasok na po. Kasama na po iyon (It's already transmitted. It has been included)," Larrazabal told radio dzMM when asked if the the Visayas votes have already been transmitted.
He, however, declined to disclose the latest figures received by the Comelec, particularly on the much-awaited results of the vice-presidential race.
"I cannot release. I have to apologize," he said, adding that people should just wait for Congress to announce the winner in the vice-presidential and presidential races.
Butch Abad, LP leader and campaign manager of Roxas, meanwhile, insisted during a separate radio dzMM interview that not all votes from the Visayas have been transmitted to the servers.
Abad said that at least 30% of the results from all Visayas provinces have not been received by the Comelec.
He said that votes from that 30% would matter in the end part of the counting for the vice-presidential elections.
"A significant portion has not been reported," he said.
Abad said that the LP continues to gather information from their people in Visayas.
In a statement released Saturday, LP's senatorial campaign manager Sen. Francis Pangilinan said that the party will not accept defeat until all votes have been counted by the Congress.
"Walang kukurap (No one should blink)," Pangilinan said.
He said that the LP remains confident that the tandem of Roxas and leading presidential candidate, Sen. Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III will prevail.
The LP claims that Roxas leads Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay by a margin of at least 2 million votes in central and western Visayas regions. The party said Roxas can still win the race by a "hairline" margin.
The other camp, however, said that Binay would win the race based on the current trend.
Binay's camp said if the trends continue 2 million of the uncounted votes would go to Binay and only 1.9 million will go to Roxas.
The group predicts that Binay would emerge as winner with 15.37 million votes against Roxas's 14.44 million.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Aquino, Binay still on top in PPCRV tally
Senator Benigno Aquino III and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay continue to lead in this tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) as of 5:31 p.m. Friday.
Of the 76, 475 precincts, 68, 871 or 90.06 percent have been counted.
PRESIDENT
Aquino 13,830,536
Estrada 8,750,661
Villar 5,007,922
Teodoro 3,673,370
Villanueva 1,025,818
Gordon 467,417
Perlas 48,914
Madrigal 42,170
De los Reyes 40,043
VICE PRESIDENT
Binay 13,478,375
Roxas 12,673,706
Legarda 3,803,289
Fernando 937,094
Manzano 706,605
Yasay 330,677
Sonza 57,674
Chipeco 47,344
Of the 76, 475 precincts, 68, 871 or 90.06 percent have been counted.
PRESIDENT
Aquino 13,830,536
Estrada 8,750,661
Villar 5,007,922
Teodoro 3,673,370
Villanueva 1,025,818
Gordon 467,417
Perlas 48,914
Madrigal 42,170
De los Reyes 40,043
VICE PRESIDENT
Binay 13,478,375
Roxas 12,673,706
Legarda 3,803,289
Fernando 937,094
Manzano 706,605
Yasay 330,677
Sonza 57,674
Chipeco 47,344
Roxas ahead of Binay in Bohol
Vice presidential candidate Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II of the Liberal Party (LP) is ahead of his rival, Makati Mayor Jejomar “ Binay of PDP-Laban, in Bohol based on the transmitted certificates of canvass from the province’s 47 towns and one city.
The Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) said Roxas received 261,592 votes while Binay had 185,504 votes.
Sen. Loren Legarda came in third with 63,507 votes and Edu Manzano was fourth with 16,089 votes.
The last to transmit their election results were the towns of Jetafe, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna and Mabini due to a signal problem.
Bohol Election Supervisor Eliserio Labaria said the delayed transmission of Certificates of Canvass (COC) to the PBOC from the 4 towns did not affect the PBOC’s transmission of the COC to the central server.
The transmission from the provincial level to the national level went smoothly, the poll official said.
Transmission of COCs from the municipal level to the provincial and national levels was done simultaneously.
The Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) said Roxas received 261,592 votes while Binay had 185,504 votes.
Sen. Loren Legarda came in third with 63,507 votes and Edu Manzano was fourth with 16,089 votes.
The last to transmit their election results were the towns of Jetafe, Garcia Hernandez, Jagna and Mabini due to a signal problem.
Bohol Election Supervisor Eliserio Labaria said the delayed transmission of Certificates of Canvass (COC) to the PBOC from the 4 towns did not affect the PBOC’s transmission of the COC to the central server.
The transmission from the provincial level to the national level went smoothly, the poll official said.
Transmission of COCs from the municipal level to the provincial and national levels was done simultaneously.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Election Update: Aquino, Binay still ahead in PPCRV tally
Partial, unofficial tally of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting’s (PPCRV) from 68,396 out of 76,475 precincts or 89.44 percent as of 12:58 p.m. Thursday:
President:
Aquino, Benigno III: 13,748,141
Estrada Ejercito Joseph: 8,696,325
Villar, Manuel: 4,969,902
Teodoro, Gilberto Jr.: 3,655,057
Villanueva, Eduardo: 1,019,715
Gordon, Richard: 465,351
Acosta, Vetellano*: 192,797
Perlas, Jesus Nicanor: 48,692
Madrigal, Jamby: 41,900
De Los Reyes, John Carlos: 39,844
Vice President
Binay, Jejomar: 13,392,774
Roxas, Manuel: 12,606,837
Legarda, Loren: 3,769,828
Fernando, Bayani: 932,798
Manzano, Eduardo: 702,505
Yasay, Perfecto: 329,179
Sonza, Jose: 57,381
Chipeco, Dominador: 47,122
President:
Aquino, Benigno III: 13,748,141
Estrada Ejercito Joseph: 8,696,325
Villar, Manuel: 4,969,902
Teodoro, Gilberto Jr.: 3,655,057
Villanueva, Eduardo: 1,019,715
Gordon, Richard: 465,351
Acosta, Vetellano*: 192,797
Perlas, Jesus Nicanor: 48,692
Madrigal, Jamby: 41,900
De Los Reyes, John Carlos: 39,844
Vice President
Binay, Jejomar: 13,392,774
Roxas, Manuel: 12,606,837
Legarda, Loren: 3,769,828
Fernando, Bayani: 932,798
Manzano, Eduardo: 702,505
Yasay, Perfecto: 329,179
Sonza, Jose: 57,381
Chipeco, Dominador: 47,122
Monday, May 10, 2010
Commission on Elections (Comelec) Partial count of Votes
Sen. Benigno Aquino III and Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay continue to lead in the Commission on Elections (Comelec) partial count of the votes for president and vice-president.
As of 4:31 a.m. Tuesday, Aquino had a 4-million vote lead over his closest rival, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino standard-bearer Joseph Estrada, based on the partial and unofficial tally of votes cast in 76,300 polling precincts nationwide.
On the other hand, Binay had a lead of over 850,000 votes over Liberal Party vice-presidential bet Mar Roxas based on the latest Comelec count.
The results were:
For President
Benigno Aquino: 11,049,826
Joseph Estrada: 6,986,257
Manuel Villar: 3,845,422
Gilbert Teodoro: 2,911,474
Eddie Villanueva: 832,764
Richard Gordon: 403,662
Nicanor Perlas: 37,413
Jamby Madrigal: 33,350
JC de los Reyes: 30,934
For Vice-President
Jejomar Binay: 10,939,713
Manuel Roxas: 10,088,864
Loren Legarda: 2,882,512
Bayani Fernando: 779,412
Edu Manzano: 511,055
Perfecto Yasay: 268,538
Jay Sonza: 45,603
Dominador Chipeco: 35,036
In a press conference, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said voter turnout for the country's first ever nationwide automated election was around 75%.
As of 4:31 a.m. Tuesday, Aquino had a 4-million vote lead over his closest rival, Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino standard-bearer Joseph Estrada, based on the partial and unofficial tally of votes cast in 76,300 polling precincts nationwide.
On the other hand, Binay had a lead of over 850,000 votes over Liberal Party vice-presidential bet Mar Roxas based on the latest Comelec count.
The results were:
For President
Benigno Aquino: 11,049,826
Joseph Estrada: 6,986,257
Manuel Villar: 3,845,422
Gilbert Teodoro: 2,911,474
Eddie Villanueva: 832,764
Richard Gordon: 403,662
Nicanor Perlas: 37,413
Jamby Madrigal: 33,350
JC de los Reyes: 30,934
For Vice-President
Jejomar Binay: 10,939,713
Manuel Roxas: 10,088,864
Loren Legarda: 2,882,512
Bayani Fernando: 779,412
Edu Manzano: 511,055
Perfecto Yasay: 268,538
Jay Sonza: 45,603
Dominador Chipeco: 35,036
In a press conference, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo said voter turnout for the country's first ever nationwide automated election was around 75%.
Binay proclaimed winner of Makati mayoralty race
The Makati City board of canvassers Tuesday morning proclaimed Councilor Jejomar Erwin ``Jun-jun’’ Binay as winner of the mayoralty race in Makati City.
Binay, son of vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, garnered a total of 125,088 votes, beating by 43,639 votes his closest rival, vice mayor Ernesto Mercado.
Binay is so far the first local government candidate to have been proclaimed winner hours after voting in the country’s first automated polling system was stopped at 7 p.m. by the Commission on Elections.
Binay, son of vice presidential candidate Jejomar Binay, garnered a total of 125,088 votes, beating by 43,639 votes his closest rival, vice mayor Ernesto Mercado.
Binay is so far the first local government candidate to have been proclaimed winner hours after voting in the country’s first automated polling system was stopped at 7 p.m. by the Commission on Elections.
President, Vice President, Senators Final Official Result
The Filipino nation will know the next President, vice president and the 12 new senators of the republic by Tuesday, according to the Smartmatic TIM, the technology partner of the Commission on Elections in the country’s first ever automated elections.
Cesar Flores, spokesman of the Smartmatic TIM, projected on Monday night that 80 percent of the results would be in by Tuesday and that would show a clearer picture of the winners in the presidential, vice presidential and senatorial races.
"When you wake up tomorrow (Tuesday) about 80 percent of the results are transmitted. You will have a very clear trend on who will be the next president, vice president, and senators," he said in a joint press conference with the Commission on Elections.
Happy with the national conduct of the automated elections, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo, said "This seems to be the victory of the Filipino people with God's help."
The first automated elections have been marked by malfunctioning vote scanning and counting machines, rejected ballots and voters who backed out of voting, turned off by the long lines and the slow wait for their turn to vote, as only one board of election inspectors was tasked to take care of three to five precincts clustered into one.
But Melo said these cases did not lead to massive failure of elections. “I'm smiling again. It was successful. I will add the 'very part' later,” the poll chief said.
Melo placed the machine malfunction at only .05 percent of all the Precinct Count Optical Scan machines were replaced due to various technical glitches.
The number was less than the expected 2.5%-5% replacement rate the company prepared in its contingency plan.
Cesar Flores, Smartmatic TIM spokesman, said 10,000 precincts reported to have finished the voting and had printed 30 election returns as of 7 pm. The number, he said, was better than expected.
As to the snaking lines in the precincts, Melo admitted that the poll body would have to study the queue management in the future.
Cesar Flores, spokesman of the Smartmatic TIM, projected on Monday night that 80 percent of the results would be in by Tuesday and that would show a clearer picture of the winners in the presidential, vice presidential and senatorial races.
"When you wake up tomorrow (Tuesday) about 80 percent of the results are transmitted. You will have a very clear trend on who will be the next president, vice president, and senators," he said in a joint press conference with the Commission on Elections.
Happy with the national conduct of the automated elections, Comelec Chairman Jose Melo, said "This seems to be the victory of the Filipino people with God's help."
The first automated elections have been marked by malfunctioning vote scanning and counting machines, rejected ballots and voters who backed out of voting, turned off by the long lines and the slow wait for their turn to vote, as only one board of election inspectors was tasked to take care of three to five precincts clustered into one.
But Melo said these cases did not lead to massive failure of elections. “I'm smiling again. It was successful. I will add the 'very part' later,” the poll chief said.
Melo placed the machine malfunction at only .05 percent of all the Precinct Count Optical Scan machines were replaced due to various technical glitches.
The number was less than the expected 2.5%-5% replacement rate the company prepared in its contingency plan.
Cesar Flores, Smartmatic TIM spokesman, said 10,000 precincts reported to have finished the voting and had printed 30 election returns as of 7 pm. The number, he said, was better than expected.
As to the snaking lines in the precincts, Melo admitted that the poll body would have to study the queue management in the future.
Partial election returns give Aquino, Binay early leads
Liberal Party standard bearer Benigno C. Aquino III is leading his rivals in the presidential race, based on a partial and unofficial consolidation of data from election returns as of 9:36 p.m. Makati Mayor Jejomar C. Binay of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan was leading the vice presidential race in a GMA News tally based on 36.57 per cent of election returns nationwide.
The unofficial data culled from 76,347 precincts nationwide showed Aquino, son of Philippine democracy icons Corazon C. Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr., garnering 5,580,630 votes. Binay accumulated 5,605,074 votes.
The GMA tally may be viewed here.
As of 9:21 p.m. the GMA Network partial and unofficial tally showed the following results:
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
1. Aquino, Benigno III: 5,580,630
2. Estrada, Joseph: 3,551,556
3. Villar, Manuel Jr.: 1,934,525
4. Teodoro, Gilberto Jr.: 1,468,479
5. Villanueva, Eduardo: 431,847
6. Gordon, Richard 216,162
7. Acosta, Vetellano 58,778
8. Perlas, Nicanor: 18,324
9. Madrigal, Jamby 16,756
10. De los Reyes, JC 15,084
VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
1. Binay, Jejomar: 5,605,074
2. Roxas, Manuel II: 5,058,683
3. Legarda, Loren: 1,477,027
4. Fernando, Bayani: 402,866
5. Manzano, Eduardo: 236,257
6. Yasay, Perfecto Jr.: 137,619
7. Sonza, Jose.: 23,491
8. Chipeco, Dominador Jr.: 17,130
Based on the GMA tally, Aquino’s closest rival for the presidency is former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada with 3,551,556 votes. He was followed by Manuel Villar Jr. with 1,934,525 votes.
Trailing Binay in the GMA tally was Aquino’s running mate, Manuel A. Roxas II, with 5,058,683 votes. He was followed by Loren B. Legarda with 1,477,027 votes.
The results were similar to partial and unofficial data from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the citizens' arm of the Commission on Elections. The PPCRV count showed the same trend with Aquino getting 179,020 votes and Binay having 185,623 votes as of 8:55 p.m.
Voting in the country's first automated elections was expected to close at 7 p.m. Monday in 76,347 clustered precincts nationwide.
The unofficial data culled from 76,347 precincts nationwide showed Aquino, son of Philippine democracy icons Corazon C. Aquino and Benigno Aquino Jr., garnering 5,580,630 votes. Binay accumulated 5,605,074 votes.
The GMA tally may be viewed here.
As of 9:21 p.m. the GMA Network partial and unofficial tally showed the following results:
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
1. Aquino, Benigno III: 5,580,630
2. Estrada, Joseph: 3,551,556
3. Villar, Manuel Jr.: 1,934,525
4. Teodoro, Gilberto Jr.: 1,468,479
5. Villanueva, Eduardo: 431,847
6. Gordon, Richard 216,162
7. Acosta, Vetellano 58,778
8. Perlas, Nicanor: 18,324
9. Madrigal, Jamby 16,756
10. De los Reyes, JC 15,084
VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES
1. Binay, Jejomar: 5,605,074
2. Roxas, Manuel II: 5,058,683
3. Legarda, Loren: 1,477,027
4. Fernando, Bayani: 402,866
5. Manzano, Eduardo: 236,257
6. Yasay, Perfecto Jr.: 137,619
7. Sonza, Jose.: 23,491
8. Chipeco, Dominador Jr.: 17,130
Based on the GMA tally, Aquino’s closest rival for the presidency is former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada with 3,551,556 votes. He was followed by Manuel Villar Jr. with 1,934,525 votes.
Trailing Binay in the GMA tally was Aquino’s running mate, Manuel A. Roxas II, with 5,058,683 votes. He was followed by Loren B. Legarda with 1,477,027 votes.
The results were similar to partial and unofficial data from the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), the citizens' arm of the Commission on Elections. The PPCRV count showed the same trend with Aquino getting 179,020 votes and Binay having 185,623 votes as of 8:55 p.m.
Voting in the country's first automated elections was expected to close at 7 p.m. Monday in 76,347 clustered precincts nationwide.
25% of votes cast already transmitted to Comelec server
At least 25% of total votes cast during the first ever nationwide automated elections have been transmitted to the Commission on Elections back-up server before 9 p.m. Monday.
The Comelec is set to release partial and unofficial tallies of votes for president and other national and local positions at 9 p.m. on Monday.
Balloting in more than 76,300 polling precincts nationwide closed at 7 p.m., with election watchdogs and analysts predicting a lower-than-expected turnout due to some technical problems with a new automated voting system and long queues discouraging voters.
"We'll come out with the first consolidated results of the elections from top to bottom," Jose Melo, a retired Supreme Court justice and chairman of Comelec, told a news conference.
Melo said they expected results from the machines to be transmitted 20 minutes after the close of polling precincts at 7 p.m.
"It's a success," he said, adding the number of violent incidents had gone down to 70 compared to 180 incidents in the 2007 election period.
The Comelec is set to release partial and unofficial tallies of votes for president and other national and local positions at 9 p.m. on Monday.
Balloting in more than 76,300 polling precincts nationwide closed at 7 p.m., with election watchdogs and analysts predicting a lower-than-expected turnout due to some technical problems with a new automated voting system and long queues discouraging voters.
"We'll come out with the first consolidated results of the elections from top to bottom," Jose Melo, a retired Supreme Court justice and chairman of Comelec, told a news conference.
Melo said they expected results from the machines to be transmitted 20 minutes after the close of polling precincts at 7 p.m.
"It's a success," he said, adding the number of violent incidents had gone down to 70 compared to 180 incidents in the 2007 election period.
Aquino, Binay in early lead for president, vice president
Senator Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay are leading the presidential and vice presidential race respectively, according to the initial transmission of results from various precinct count optical scanning machines nationwide.
Aquino, standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, is ahead of his rivals with 86,990 votes while Binay, runningmate of former president Joseph Estrada, is on top of the vice presidential list with 104, 042.
Estrada is behind Aquino, with 67, 425 while Senator Manny Villar is in third, with 55, 639, according to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, which started announcing the partial results immediately after the polling precincts closed at 7 p.m.
Other candidates for the presidency: Administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro: 27, 117; Brother Eddie Villanueva, Bangon Pilipinas, 7,947; Vitaliano Acosta, who was disqualified early in the race but whose name has remained in the ballot has 1,546;
Senator Richard Gordon, 1,088; Nicanor Perlas: 382; Senator Ana Consuelo “Jamby”, 332: and JC Delos Reyes of Kapatiran, 330.
In the vice presidential race, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, runningmate of Aquino, is in second with 81, 116 while Senator Loren Legarda, Villar’s candidate, is in third with 58, 740.
The rest: Administration candidate Edu Manzano, 9, 122; Bayani Fernando, Gordon’s runningmate, 4,883; Perfecto Yasay, 2330; Dominador Chipeco Jr., 519; and broadcaster Jay Sonza, 464
Aquino, standard-bearer of the Liberal Party, is ahead of his rivals with 86,990 votes while Binay, runningmate of former president Joseph Estrada, is on top of the vice presidential list with 104, 042.
Estrada is behind Aquino, with 67, 425 while Senator Manny Villar is in third, with 55, 639, according to the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, which started announcing the partial results immediately after the polling precincts closed at 7 p.m.
Other candidates for the presidency: Administration candidate Gilbert Teodoro: 27, 117; Brother Eddie Villanueva, Bangon Pilipinas, 7,947; Vitaliano Acosta, who was disqualified early in the race but whose name has remained in the ballot has 1,546;
Senator Richard Gordon, 1,088; Nicanor Perlas: 382; Senator Ana Consuelo “Jamby”, 332: and JC Delos Reyes of Kapatiran, 330.
In the vice presidential race, Senator Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, runningmate of Aquino, is in second with 81, 116 while Senator Loren Legarda, Villar’s candidate, is in third with 58, 740.
The rest: Administration candidate Edu Manzano, 9, 122; Bayani Fernando, Gordon’s runningmate, 4,883; Perfecto Yasay, 2330; Dominador Chipeco Jr., 519; and broadcaster Jay Sonza, 464
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Marcoses vote in Ilocos Norte
Ilocos Norte 2nd District Rep. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and former Rep. Imee Marcos cast their votes in Batac, Ilocos Norte at exactly 10 a.m. on Monday.
The Marcos siblings, who are running in the May 10 polls, voted at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School.
Bongbong is running for senator while Imee is seeking the Ilocos Norte gubernatorial post.
Imee’s sons, Michael and Borgy Manotoc, were also present.
After voting, the Marcos siblings proceeded to the Immaculate Conception Church then went to the Marcos Museum in Batac.
Their mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, voted ahead of them. She is seeking to replace her son as congresswoman.
Imee’s cousin and rival in the gubernatorial race, Gov. Michael Marcos Keon, is expected to vote Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, several precincts in Ilocos Norte experienced glitches in their precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. Some of them were unable to read the ballots right away.
But the Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured that they can fix such glitches
The Marcos siblings, who are running in the May 10 polls, voted at the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School.
Bongbong is running for senator while Imee is seeking the Ilocos Norte gubernatorial post.
Imee’s sons, Michael and Borgy Manotoc, were also present.
After voting, the Marcos siblings proceeded to the Immaculate Conception Church then went to the Marcos Museum in Batac.
Their mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos, voted ahead of them. She is seeking to replace her son as congresswoman.
Imee’s cousin and rival in the gubernatorial race, Gov. Michael Marcos Keon, is expected to vote Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, several precincts in Ilocos Norte experienced glitches in their precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines. Some of them were unable to read the ballots right away.
But the Commission on Elections (Comelec) assured that they can fix such glitches
Voting halted in Iloilo town due to wrong ballots
The Commission on Elections has suspended the voting in one clustered precinct in Guimbal town in the first congressional district of Iloilo.
Iloilo provincial election supervisor Elizabeth Doronila Monday said the commission decided to suspend the elections after it was discovered that the ballots delivered in Barangay Generosa for precincts 13-A, 13-B, 14-A and 14-B were ballots intended for precincts 17-A, 18-A and 18-B in Barangay Buenos Aires, Pagsanghan town, Samar.
Doronila said the Comelec central office issued the directive because it was impossible to deliver or switch ballots.
Guimbal Election Officer Rene Ariola said only one out of the 39 clustered precincts has encountered a problem. He said he was waiting for further instructions from the Comelec head office.
Iloilo provincial election supervisor Elizabeth Doronila Monday said the commission decided to suspend the elections after it was discovered that the ballots delivered in Barangay Generosa for precincts 13-A, 13-B, 14-A and 14-B were ballots intended for precincts 17-A, 18-A and 18-B in Barangay Buenos Aires, Pagsanghan town, Samar.
Doronila said the Comelec central office issued the directive because it was impossible to deliver or switch ballots.
Guimbal Election Officer Rene Ariola said only one out of the 39 clustered precincts has encountered a problem. He said he was waiting for further instructions from the Comelec head office.
Padaca sees lucky sign as she casts ballot in Isabela
Governor Grace Padaca does not believe in signs.
But on Monday, she felt elated after seeing that she had cast the 125th ballot in the sole clustered precinct in Barangay Minanga, Naguilian, Isabela.
"I have always considered 1-2-5 as lucky numbers," she said.
Padaca was born on October 25 (10-25), and her proclamation as the winning candidate in the 2007 gubernatorial race was announced at 10:25 p.m.
But whether she considers Monday's vote casting as a good omen, the 45-year-old is leaving the matter to God and the electorate.
Padaca arrived at the Minanga Elementary School at 10 a.m.
Clad in a yellow shirt and black trousers, the Liberal Party bet received a warm welcome from her constituents and foreign media groups.
Padaca was also welcomed by her 76-year-old mother Amelia, who accompanied her to the polling center.
The governor pecked her mother’s cheek, and greeted her a “Happy Mother’s Day."
As they walked toward the precinct, Padaca asked the onlookers in Ilocano if they had already voted. The people replied in the affirmative.
When she reached the long queue of voters, the polio-stricken governor asked the people in jest: "Pwedeng pasingit? Sige na... May kodigo naman ako. Mabilis lang ako. Sige na."
The voters broke out in laughter and gave way to the governor.
Padaca voted at precinct 052-A and completed shading her ballot within five minutes.
In an interview, Padaca said she purposely transferred her registration from Cauayan town to barangay Minanga as she wanted to vote in her birth place for what she sees as her last fight in the political ring.
Padaca seemed to be satisfied with the automation system, saying she is thankful that the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine in Minanga did not encounter any glitches.
She also used the opportunity to hit back at her rival Rep. Faustino Dy III and her detractors whom she claimed are responsible for the spread of black propaganda against her.
Dy is trying to reclaim the top provincial post which his family held for 34 years before losing it to Padaca in 2004.
The lady governor, who was already a popular radio broadcaster before going into politics, is seeking her third and last term.
Mommy dances to a different tune
Dy, accompanied by her children, cast his vote in Cauayan South Central School.
Padaca's mother, Amelia, happily recalled to reporters her brief encounter with Dy in the Cauayan polling precinct — where she is a registered voter.
"[Bojie] greeted me pati yung mga anak niya, nag-bless sa akin yung mga bata," she said, adding that Dy’s gesture signifies that the political rivalry between him and her daughter does not extend to neither of their families.
Gov. Padaca said she was aware of her mother's relationship with the Dys and found it "amusing."
"Yung generation kasi nila [mommy] yun yung time na ina-adore yung mg Dy. Sa amin, nung matapos yung people power at nakita namin yung katiwaliaan, kami yung lumalaban," Padaca said.
Nonetheless, Padaca said Mrs. Amelia has always been very supportive of her decisions, even as they refuse to talk about their conflicting political beliefs.
But on Monday, she felt elated after seeing that she had cast the 125th ballot in the sole clustered precinct in Barangay Minanga, Naguilian, Isabela.
"I have always considered 1-2-5 as lucky numbers," she said.
Padaca was born on October 25 (10-25), and her proclamation as the winning candidate in the 2007 gubernatorial race was announced at 10:25 p.m.
But whether she considers Monday's vote casting as a good omen, the 45-year-old is leaving the matter to God and the electorate.
Padaca arrived at the Minanga Elementary School at 10 a.m.
Clad in a yellow shirt and black trousers, the Liberal Party bet received a warm welcome from her constituents and foreign media groups.
Padaca was also welcomed by her 76-year-old mother Amelia, who accompanied her to the polling center.
The governor pecked her mother’s cheek, and greeted her a “Happy Mother’s Day."
As they walked toward the precinct, Padaca asked the onlookers in Ilocano if they had already voted. The people replied in the affirmative.
When she reached the long queue of voters, the polio-stricken governor asked the people in jest: "Pwedeng pasingit? Sige na... May kodigo naman ako. Mabilis lang ako. Sige na."
The voters broke out in laughter and gave way to the governor.
Padaca voted at precinct 052-A and completed shading her ballot within five minutes.
In an interview, Padaca said she purposely transferred her registration from Cauayan town to barangay Minanga as she wanted to vote in her birth place for what she sees as her last fight in the political ring.
Padaca seemed to be satisfied with the automation system, saying she is thankful that the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine in Minanga did not encounter any glitches.
She also used the opportunity to hit back at her rival Rep. Faustino Dy III and her detractors whom she claimed are responsible for the spread of black propaganda against her.
Dy is trying to reclaim the top provincial post which his family held for 34 years before losing it to Padaca in 2004.
The lady governor, who was already a popular radio broadcaster before going into politics, is seeking her third and last term.
Mommy dances to a different tune
Dy, accompanied by her children, cast his vote in Cauayan South Central School.
Padaca's mother, Amelia, happily recalled to reporters her brief encounter with Dy in the Cauayan polling precinct — where she is a registered voter.
"[Bojie] greeted me pati yung mga anak niya, nag-bless sa akin yung mga bata," she said, adding that Dy’s gesture signifies that the political rivalry between him and her daughter does not extend to neither of their families.
Gov. Padaca said she was aware of her mother's relationship with the Dys and found it "amusing."
"Yung generation kasi nila [mommy] yun yung time na ina-adore yung mg Dy. Sa amin, nung matapos yung people power at nakita namin yung katiwaliaan, kami yung lumalaban," Padaca said.
Nonetheless, Padaca said Mrs. Amelia has always been very supportive of her decisions, even as they refuse to talk about their conflicting political beliefs.
Manila mayoral bets cast votes
Manila mayoral candidates Avelino Razon, Jose “Lito” Atienza and Alfredo Lim cast their votes in the morning of Election Day.
Razon, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, voted at past 7 a.m. at the Fabella Health Center.
The retired general, who was accompanied by his family, did not experience any glitches while voting.
Razon said that win or lose, he is ready for the election results.
Meanwhile, Atienza and Lim both voted at past 8 a.m.
Atienza, a former Manila mayor before he joined the Arroyo government as environment secretary, voted at his precinct in Rafael Palma Elementary School.
However, the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine in his precinct malfunctioned. It worked after 2 hours.
Re-electionist Lim, meantime, voted at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo.
Earlier, Lim denied a text message which said that he had withdrawn from the mayoralty race and was now supporting Razon.
The text message, which he deemed as a form of misinformation and black propaganda, was circulated hours before the start of the polls on Monday.
Others who are seeking the mayoral post of the country’s capital are independent candidates Onofre Abad, Ma. Teresita Hizon, Matilde Limbre and Benjamin Rivera.
Razon, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, voted at past 7 a.m. at the Fabella Health Center.
The retired general, who was accompanied by his family, did not experience any glitches while voting.
Razon said that win or lose, he is ready for the election results.
Meanwhile, Atienza and Lim both voted at past 8 a.m.
Atienza, a former Manila mayor before he joined the Arroyo government as environment secretary, voted at his precinct in Rafael Palma Elementary School.
However, the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machine in his precinct malfunctioned. It worked after 2 hours.
Re-electionist Lim, meantime, voted at the Rosauro Almario Elementary School in Tondo.
Earlier, Lim denied a text message which said that he had withdrawn from the mayoralty race and was now supporting Razon.
The text message, which he deemed as a form of misinformation and black propaganda, was circulated hours before the start of the polls on Monday.
Others who are seeking the mayoral post of the country’s capital are independent candidates Onofre Abad, Ma. Teresita Hizon, Matilde Limbre and Benjamin Rivera.
Pacquiao casts vote
World boxing champion and congressional candidate Manny Pacquiao cast his vote at past 8 a.m. Monday.
Pacaquiao, who arrived with wife Jinkee, arrived at around 7:30 a.m. at the Kiamba Elementary School.
Pacquiao is facing businessman Roy Chiongbian, an administration candidate, in the fight over a seat in Congress to represent the province.
Pacaquiao, who arrived with wife Jinkee, arrived at around 7:30 a.m. at the Kiamba Elementary School.
Pacquiao is facing businessman Roy Chiongbian, an administration candidate, in the fight over a seat in Congress to represent the province.
Gubernatorial bet Mangudadatu casts vote in Maguindanao town
Gubernatorial candidate Esmael Mangudadatu has cast his vote at 8 a.m. in Buluan town Monday.
Mangudadatu is up against two other candidates perceived as allies of the Ampatuan clan, suspected to be behind the massacre of 57 people, including 31 journalists, in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23 last year. Mangudadatu's wife, sisters and several relatives were among those killed in the massacre.
In Datu Piang town, the first votes counted, after several tries, were those of reelectionist mayor Samer Uy, who was at the polling precinct at the Datu Gumabay Elementary School as early as 7 a.m.
The second voter, Badria Andamin, had a problem when her ballot got jammed at the PCOS machine.
The board of election inspectors had the machine "restarted" and voting continued.
Several hours before the polling centers opened for the elections, a brief burst of gunfire was heard at around 1:20 a.m. along the riverbank of Kabunlan River, boundary of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan towns in Maguindanao, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said in a text message.
Elements of the 46th Infantry Battalion retaliated with mortar fire, the spokesman said.
No one was reportedly injured, Espina added.
Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators of the harassment, he also said.
Mangudadatu is up against two other candidates perceived as allies of the Ampatuan clan, suspected to be behind the massacre of 57 people, including 31 journalists, in Ampatuan town on Nov. 23 last year. Mangudadatu's wife, sisters and several relatives were among those killed in the massacre.
In Datu Piang town, the first votes counted, after several tries, were those of reelectionist mayor Samer Uy, who was at the polling precinct at the Datu Gumabay Elementary School as early as 7 a.m.
The second voter, Badria Andamin, had a problem when her ballot got jammed at the PCOS machine.
The board of election inspectors had the machine "restarted" and voting continued.
Several hours before the polling centers opened for the elections, a brief burst of gunfire was heard at around 1:20 a.m. along the riverbank of Kabunlan River, boundary of Shariff Aguak and Ampatuan towns in Maguindanao, Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said in a text message.
Elements of the 46th Infantry Battalion retaliated with mortar fire, the spokesman said.
No one was reportedly injured, Espina added.
Authorities have yet to identify the perpetrators of the harassment, he also said.
Kris casts vote in Makati
Actress-host Kris Aquino went early to her precinct to cast her vote in Makati City on Monday morning.
Kris, who was wearing a black blouse, was with husband, star cager James Yap, when she cast her vote at Precinct 0711A in Urdaneta Village.
Kris played an active role in the campaign of her brother, Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. She gave a big smile when the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine accepted her ballot.
The actress-host appealed to all Filipinos to go out and exercise their right to choose their next leaders.
Meanwhile, singer Cris Villiongco was not able to vote since she failed to find her name on the list of voters also at precinct 0711-A.
Villiongco is the grand daughter of Siguion Reyna, who tried to vote as early as 7 a.m.
Her mother, Monique Villiongco, is a supporter of Senator Aquino.
Kris, who was wearing a black blouse, was with husband, star cager James Yap, when she cast her vote at Precinct 0711A in Urdaneta Village.
Kris played an active role in the campaign of her brother, Liberal Party presidential bet Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III. She gave a big smile when the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine accepted her ballot.
The actress-host appealed to all Filipinos to go out and exercise their right to choose their next leaders.
Meanwhile, singer Cris Villiongco was not able to vote since she failed to find her name on the list of voters also at precinct 0711-A.
Villiongco is the grand daughter of Siguion Reyna, who tried to vote as early as 7 a.m.
Her mother, Monique Villiongco, is a supporter of Senator Aquino.
Mangudadatu asks voters to end Ampatuan rule
Voting for local candidates aside from those with the Liberal Party would mean the return of the Ampatuans to power.
This was the final appeal of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu to voters of Maguindanao in a bid to shore up his candidacy in the gubernatorial post.
He warned that if one of his two opponents wins, “the ills and evils of Ampatuans will reign again.”
Mangudadatu is pitted against Guindulungan Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang, father-in-law of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, and Mayor Ombra Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, a known ally of the Ampatuans.
“And you have seen what they were capable of,” Mangudadatu said, referring to the massacre of 57 people—including his wife and relatives, lawyers and journalists—in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, in November.
The Inquirer followed Mangudadatu and traveled with his convoy in the final days of the campaign.
In areas he visited, Mangudadatu repeated the warning amid a sea of green-clad people, mostly youth.
“Change will come under my leadership,” he said here Saturday.
Mangudadatu said it was time for Maguindanao to have a different kind of governance, far from the iron-hand employed by the Ampatuans, “where the people are masters and the elected their public servants.”
Mangudadatu admitted that his fight against the Ampatuans has become personal.
He said he wanted to end the “evils” of the clan.
“My fight is personal. I am against Ampatuan’s atrocities. But I don’t want to go to hell. I will never retaliate. It will be OK if I die in this fight as I am ready to die to fight. I will never kill. I cannot do that, only they can do that,” he said.
Ebra Macarimbang, 70, a native of Barira town, said: “I have not seen progress around.”
“Now that I’m old, I’d like to do something so my grandchildren can see change here. I don’t want them to see the present system. I believe that with Mangudadatu, the future is bright, the one that I dreamt of when I was younger,” he said.
Many Maguindanao residents that the Inquirer talked with pinned their last hopes on Mangudadatu.
But in Shariff Aguak, the heart of the province, residents worry that the elections will still be dominated by the Ampatuans and their allies.
“But the thought that I could vote for whoever I want to this time offers me some sort of freedom,” a restaurant owner said.
This was the final appeal of Buluan Vice Mayor Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu to voters of Maguindanao in a bid to shore up his candidacy in the gubernatorial post.
He warned that if one of his two opponents wins, “the ills and evils of Ampatuans will reign again.”
Mangudadatu is pitted against Guindulungan Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang, father-in-law of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Governor Zaldy Ampatuan, and Mayor Ombra Sinsuat of Datu Odin Sinsuat town, a known ally of the Ampatuans.
“And you have seen what they were capable of,” Mangudadatu said, referring to the massacre of 57 people—including his wife and relatives, lawyers and journalists—in Ampatuan, Maguindanao, in November.
The Inquirer followed Mangudadatu and traveled with his convoy in the final days of the campaign.
In areas he visited, Mangudadatu repeated the warning amid a sea of green-clad people, mostly youth.
“Change will come under my leadership,” he said here Saturday.
Mangudadatu said it was time for Maguindanao to have a different kind of governance, far from the iron-hand employed by the Ampatuans, “where the people are masters and the elected their public servants.”
Mangudadatu admitted that his fight against the Ampatuans has become personal.
He said he wanted to end the “evils” of the clan.
“My fight is personal. I am against Ampatuan’s atrocities. But I don’t want to go to hell. I will never retaliate. It will be OK if I die in this fight as I am ready to die to fight. I will never kill. I cannot do that, only they can do that,” he said.
Ebra Macarimbang, 70, a native of Barira town, said: “I have not seen progress around.”
“Now that I’m old, I’d like to do something so my grandchildren can see change here. I don’t want them to see the present system. I believe that with Mangudadatu, the future is bright, the one that I dreamt of when I was younger,” he said.
Many Maguindanao residents that the Inquirer talked with pinned their last hopes on Mangudadatu.
But in Shariff Aguak, the heart of the province, residents worry that the elections will still be dominated by the Ampatuans and their allies.
“But the thought that I could vote for whoever I want to this time offers me some sort of freedom,” a restaurant owner said.
Comelec places Abra under control
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has taken control of this province wracked by political violence and has replaced its provincial police director to ensure a good voter turnout on Monday.
Abra election officer Vanessa Roncal assumed the reins over the province on Saturday afternoon, and had convened a special meeting to replace Senior Superintendent Ernesto Gaab with Senior Supt. Joseph Adnol, the Ifugao police director.
“I’ve worked with Gaab and it pained me to sign his replacement order. But it was the only way to express to voters that the elections would be calm, credible and without controversy,” Roncal said.
Voter turnout in Abra ranges from 60 percent to 70 percent of 154,962 registered voters, but more people may show up on Election Day today “if we can prove to them that they are secure,” Roncal said.
On Sunday, churchgoers were reminded about voting with God’s agenda in a homily at the Bangued Cathedral.
Residents and political candidates have blamed the police for their failure to address election-related complaints since December.
Gaab took the brunt of the complaints on May 5 during a candidates’ forum.
Led by congressional candidate Joy Bernos, daughter of detained Bangued Mayor Dominic Valera, the candidates said Gaab and his men favored their rivals, who belong to the family of reelectionist Abra Representative Cecilia Luna.
Valera was charged with the murder of his rival’s driver during an April 29 gunfight. Gunpowder tests reportedly cleared Valera, who is in a hospital in Metro Manila.
Bernos said police failed to charge one of Luna’ sons, Ryan, who is running against her father.
Bernos said incidents of political harassment have been taking place since 2009, but police have failed to respond adequately.
The candidates also blamed a top police official for protecting the Luna clan. On Friday, the Cordillera police issued a statement denying allegations that the police official, now based outside the province, had a hand in the designation of police officers in Abra.
Roncal said the additional 200 policemen and 60 soldiers sent to the province to beef up security were not enough.
She said officials in the towns of San Isidro, Dolores and La Paz had asked the Philippine National Police to increase its security detail.
The Comelec also announced the disqualification of Tineg mayoral candidate Cromwell Luna, son of Representative Luna, who was implicated in an illegal gun possession case when the vehicle carrying six of his men and a town councilor yielded weapons on May 1.
In an en banc session, it voided on May 4 the certificate of candidacy of the young Luna, citing questions about his residency status in Tineg town.
It was not clear if Comelec would act on Cromwell’s motion for reconsideration, but his name is still in the official ballot, Roncal said.
Another mayoral candidate, Lenin Benwaren, whose name is also in the ballot, was earlier disqualified due to a pending case but he had also asked the Comelec to reconsider, she said.
Teachers and poll officials spent Sunday morning conducting inventories of the election materials that arrived by truck.
Roncal said the Comelec on Sunday was waiting for results of the testing and sealing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines from four precincts in Tineg, two precincts in Lacub and two precincts in Malibcong.
She said Bangued reported three damaged machines but these have been replaced.
In Nueva Ecija, lawyer Emmanuel Ignacio, Comelec assistant director in Central Luzon, said there was no compelling reason the province should be placed under Comelec control.
“I am here to tell you that based on our assessment there was no need to place Nueva Ecija under Comelec control,” Ignacio told police and military officials on Saturday.
He said that compared to the 2004 and 2007 elections, Nueva Ecija has an improved peace and order situation in this year’s election period.
“Up to the last 48 hours, we have no election-related violence,” Ignacio said.
In the 2007 elections, the province recorded 66 election-related incidents 15 days before Election Day.
In Isabela, Gamu Mayor Fernando Cumigad, whose house yielded several firearms following a police search on Saturday, was released on Sunday after he posted bail for illegal gun possession and violation of the election gun ban charges.
Police found three M-16 rifles, three shotguns, an M-14 rifle, three 9-mm pistols, a .45 cal. gun, nine rifle grenades and bullets in Cumigad’s house after a five-hour search.
Cumigad said the guns have licenses, except for the rifle grenades. Police said some of the licenses were expired while the other documents were being verified.
Abra election officer Vanessa Roncal assumed the reins over the province on Saturday afternoon, and had convened a special meeting to replace Senior Superintendent Ernesto Gaab with Senior Supt. Joseph Adnol, the Ifugao police director.
“I’ve worked with Gaab and it pained me to sign his replacement order. But it was the only way to express to voters that the elections would be calm, credible and without controversy,” Roncal said.
Voter turnout in Abra ranges from 60 percent to 70 percent of 154,962 registered voters, but more people may show up on Election Day today “if we can prove to them that they are secure,” Roncal said.
On Sunday, churchgoers were reminded about voting with God’s agenda in a homily at the Bangued Cathedral.
Residents and political candidates have blamed the police for their failure to address election-related complaints since December.
Gaab took the brunt of the complaints on May 5 during a candidates’ forum.
Led by congressional candidate Joy Bernos, daughter of detained Bangued Mayor Dominic Valera, the candidates said Gaab and his men favored their rivals, who belong to the family of reelectionist Abra Representative Cecilia Luna.
Valera was charged with the murder of his rival’s driver during an April 29 gunfight. Gunpowder tests reportedly cleared Valera, who is in a hospital in Metro Manila.
Bernos said police failed to charge one of Luna’ sons, Ryan, who is running against her father.
Bernos said incidents of political harassment have been taking place since 2009, but police have failed to respond adequately.
The candidates also blamed a top police official for protecting the Luna clan. On Friday, the Cordillera police issued a statement denying allegations that the police official, now based outside the province, had a hand in the designation of police officers in Abra.
Roncal said the additional 200 policemen and 60 soldiers sent to the province to beef up security were not enough.
She said officials in the towns of San Isidro, Dolores and La Paz had asked the Philippine National Police to increase its security detail.
The Comelec also announced the disqualification of Tineg mayoral candidate Cromwell Luna, son of Representative Luna, who was implicated in an illegal gun possession case when the vehicle carrying six of his men and a town councilor yielded weapons on May 1.
In an en banc session, it voided on May 4 the certificate of candidacy of the young Luna, citing questions about his residency status in Tineg town.
It was not clear if Comelec would act on Cromwell’s motion for reconsideration, but his name is still in the official ballot, Roncal said.
Another mayoral candidate, Lenin Benwaren, whose name is also in the ballot, was earlier disqualified due to a pending case but he had also asked the Comelec to reconsider, she said.
Teachers and poll officials spent Sunday morning conducting inventories of the election materials that arrived by truck.
Roncal said the Comelec on Sunday was waiting for results of the testing and sealing of the precinct count optical scan (PCOS) machines from four precincts in Tineg, two precincts in Lacub and two precincts in Malibcong.
She said Bangued reported three damaged machines but these have been replaced.
In Nueva Ecija, lawyer Emmanuel Ignacio, Comelec assistant director in Central Luzon, said there was no compelling reason the province should be placed under Comelec control.
“I am here to tell you that based on our assessment there was no need to place Nueva Ecija under Comelec control,” Ignacio told police and military officials on Saturday.
He said that compared to the 2004 and 2007 elections, Nueva Ecija has an improved peace and order situation in this year’s election period.
“Up to the last 48 hours, we have no election-related violence,” Ignacio said.
In the 2007 elections, the province recorded 66 election-related incidents 15 days before Election Day.
In Isabela, Gamu Mayor Fernando Cumigad, whose house yielded several firearms following a police search on Saturday, was released on Sunday after he posted bail for illegal gun possession and violation of the election gun ban charges.
Police found three M-16 rifles, three shotguns, an M-14 rifle, three 9-mm pistols, a .45 cal. gun, nine rifle grenades and bullets in Cumigad’s house after a five-hour search.
Cumigad said the guns have licenses, except for the rifle grenades. Police said some of the licenses were expired while the other documents were being verified.
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