MORE NEWS, PAMPANGA

Comelec prepares recount of Pampanga gubernatorial ballots
By George Trillo

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—The Commission on Elections in this province reported last week the P4.8 million needed for the collection, validation, and transport of 4,847 ballot boxes from various towns in this province for transport to Manila to fund the recount of votes of the last election for governor, will be paid by defeated gubernatorial candidate Lilia Pineda.

Comelec provincial officer Temmie Lambino told newsmen Pineda furnished him with a copy of the Comelec’s decision that upheld an earlier decision that favored Pineda’s electoral protest against Gov. Eddie Panlilio.

The decision authorized the recount of ballots cast in the gubernatorial race in this province in the May elections last year.

“We still have to receive an official copy of the Comelec en banc decision before we could implement it, but we already have the resources to undertake all transportation requirements in just one day,” Lambino said. The ballot boxes are to be transported to the Comelec warehouse along UN Avenue in Manila for the recount.

Lambino said he already has prepared a timetable of activities for the transport of the ballot boxes.
Lambino said that expenses for transportation and revision of ballots would be covered by Pineda’s P4.8 million required by the Comelec’s second division soon after it decided in her favor on Aug. 1 last year. Thus, he said, Panlilio would be spared from transport expenses unless he would hire watchers during the process.

On July 23, 2007, the Comelec’s second division, headed by Commissioner Florentino Tuason, issued a verdict in favor of Pineda’s allegations of cheating against Panlilio.

The next day on Aug. 1, the second division denied Panlilio’s petition to dismiss Pineda’s electoral protest and ordered the transfer of the ballot boxes for revision of ballots in Manila.

It was on the same day that Pineda paid a check worth P4.8 million as her deposit to the Comelec as required in cases of revisions. – Ding Cervantes