Obama captures historic White House win

Senate uncovers COMELEC's P5-B unliquidated cash advances

Senate uncovers COMELEC's P5-B unliquidated cash advances

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/02/2008 10:20 PM

Tables were turned Thursday when officials of the Commission on Elections tasked to defend the agency's request for additional budget became the subject of senators' questioning after it was found out that the COMELEC had almost P5 billion in unliquidated cash advances since 1984.

This prompted finance sub-committee chairman Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago to question COMELEC Chairman Jose Melo about the unliquidated cash advances until 2007.

"What I heard is that even those officials guilty of unliquidated cash advances are still being given cash advance which should not be," the senator said.

Melo, however, defended himself and the current batch of COMELEC officials.

"That was before our time...we will refer this to [the] Ombudsman for prosecution," he said.

Santiago likewise grilled the COMELEC officials present for a Makati Regional Trial Court judge's ruling that gave "due course" to the petition of Mega-Pacific eSolutions, Inc., to delay the return of P1 billion in funds paid by the elections body for the automated counting machines that were never used for the national polls in 2004.

It was learned that the lower court's decision contravened a ruling by the Supreme Court that voided the contract between the COMELEC and Mega-Pacific.

"The Supreme Court had already ruled... that's anomalous," Santiago said.

The COMELEC, meanwhile, said it will file a motion before the Supreme Court for summary judgment that would order Mega-Pacific to refund the agency's money.

At the same time, the elections body proposed a P21-billion supplemental budget for the automation of the presidential elections in 2010.

Committee member Sen. Richard Gordon said this may be feasible since the House appropriations committee has agreed to it.

Santiago, however, said the proposal was overpriced.

"It's just too expensive for a developing country," she said, adding that some basic services may be put aside if the lawmakers agree to the COMELEC's budget request. With a report from Maricar Bautista, ABS-CBN News

SC junks Trillanes' petition to perform Senate duties

What do we expect from Gloria Arroyo’s Supreme Court? Majority of the magistrates are GMA’s appointees. They have to protect their queen at all cost. The rule of law is prostituted under the corrupt Arroyo Regime.


SC junks Trillanes' petition to perform Senate duties

The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday junked Senator Antonio Trillanes' petition seeking that he be allowed to perform his duties as a Senator while still under detention.

In a 16-page decision written by Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the SC dismissed for lack of merit Trillanes' petition, which seeks that he be allowed to attend Senate hearings and functions, set up office and be allowed to accept visitors in his detention cell.

The SC reminded Trillanes that "election to office does not obliterate a criminal charge", and that his electoral victory only signifies that when voters elected him, they were already fully aware of his limitations.

The high court did not find merit in Trillanes' position that his case is different from former representative Romeo Jalosjos, who also sought similar privileges before when he served as Zamboanga del Norte congressman even while in detention.

Quoting parts of the decision on Jalosjos, the court said that "allowing accused-appellant to attend congressional sessions and committe meetings five days or more a week will virtually make him a free man… Such an aberrant situation not only elevates accused appellant's status to that of a special class, it would be a mockery of the purposes of the correction system."

The SC also did not buy Trillanes' argument that he be given the same liberal treatment accorded to certain detention prisoners charged with non-bailable offenses, like former President Joseph Estrada and former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) governor Nur Misuari, saying these emergency or temporary leaves are under the discretion of the authorities or the courts handling them.

The SC reminded Trillanes that he also benefited from these "temporary leaves" given by the courts when he was allowed to file his candidacy and attend his oath-taking as a senator before.

The SC also believes that there is a "slight risk" that Trillanes would escape once he is given the privileges he is asking, citing the Peninsula Manila incident last November.

Trillanes also failed to tell the court his new guards or handlers after the Peninsula incident.

Trillanes filed the petition back in 2007 when he was still under military custody in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. -- Marieton Pacheco, ABS-CBN News

Sen. Obama Wins Iowa

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama tops Iowa caucus.

‘Abalos tried to bribe ZTE rival into backing out’

Malacanang must protect Elections chief Benjamin Abalos at all cost or he may spill the beans. The revival of Hello Garci political scam and the possible Comelec's involvement in the cover-up is too hot to handle. Massive and systematic electoral fraud in 2004 presidential election may have the blessings of Abalos and Gloria Arroyo. The entire Arroyo government played specific roles in the systematic election fraud and subsequent cover-up operations before and after votes are counted by the joint congressional vote canvassing.

‘Abalos tried to bribe ZTE rival into backing out’

By PAOLO ROMERO
The Philippine Star

Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Chairman Benjamin Abalos allegedly made several efforts last year to bribe the head of a rival proponent of the government’s national broadband network (NBN) project with $10 million to give way to ZTE Corp.

Abalos also allegedly suggested that the contract be overpriced by about $70 million, to be charged as consultancy fees.

A source privy to the alleged bribery attempts said Abalos invited Jose de Venecia III, son of Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. and co-founder of Amsterdam Holdings Inc. (AHI) to the Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club sometime in December for a breakfast meeting.

The COMELEC chairman is also a ranking officer of the exclusive golf club located in Mandaluyong City.

Neri drops bombshell: Abalos approached me for ZTE

LANAO DEL SUR SPECIAL POLLS: “A deliberate systematic and institutional failure”

Written by By Froilan Gallardo and Charina Sanz Zarate/MindaNews
Saturday, 07 July 2007 11 33 58

1st of four parts

MARAWI CITY (MindaNews/06 July) -- Frustrated over the way elections are conducted in Lanao del Sur, provincial board candidate Aga-Khan Mangondato Sharief bared a plan that would spare the province from future electoral fraud: “privatize the Philippine Government including the Commission on Elections.”

“Make a public bidding and whoever wins the franchise gets to operate the Comelec. The government will earn; the franchisee could be a professional and credible firm. Why, it may even lead to professionalizing this whole election business,” says Sharief, who also goes by the name “Bin Ladin” for his uncanny resemblance with the Al Qaeda chief.

“We have lost faith in these election officials,” said Sharief whose “desperate measures” also included filing a case against Comelec officials before the Shariah court of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, for alleged “massive vote padding” to “not counting the votes” cast in their favor, and even to the failure of election personnel to show up in many towns during the May 14 polls.

2nd of a series

Catholic bishops slams conduct of midterm elections

CBCP slams conduct of midterm elections

By EDU PUNAY
The Philippine Star

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed dismay on Friday over the conduct of the May 14 midterm elections, saying the challenge of credible, honest, meaningful and peaceful polls remains.

CBCP president Archbishop Angel Lagdameo lamented that “vote-buying and other anomalies have already become systematic and even cultural.”

He said election watchdogs, including the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said the problem no longer lies in the voters but the voting system itself and the irresponsibility of some election officials.

“If you listened to reports, you would have realized that there was very little difference between this last election and the past elections,” Lagdameo said.

PPCRV chairman Henrietta de Villa told the bishops that last May’s elections merely repeated the unresolved poll fraud issues in the 2004 race between President Arroyo and the late Fernando Poe Jr.

Lagdameo said the CBCP would call for solid measures to restore the credibility of the electoral process. He said issues related to the last elections would be at the top of the CBCP agenda in their upcoming meeting.

He said they would come up with a full assessment of the conduct of the May 14 midterm elections at the conclusion of the assembly on Monday.

“This is one of the topics to be discussed. We will get reports from poll watchdog groups like PPCRV, Namfrel (National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections), and Lente (Legal Network for Truthful Elections),” he added.

De Villa went on to liken Maguindanao provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol to former election commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

“Attorney Lintang Bedol – with his repeated defiance of summons from the National Board of Canvassers and en banc resolutions of Commission on Elections, unexplained loss of election accountable forms in his custody and the ‘kid gloves’ treatment he is being given by his superiors – seems to be a repeat of the ‘Hello Garci’ controversy,” she stressed.

Garcillano is believed to be the “Garci” in the controversial “Hello, Garci” wiretap tapes.

In the tapes, a female caller who sounds like President Arroyo discusses the May 2004 presidential election with a man she addresses as “Garci.”

Mrs. Arroyo defeated Poe in that election.

In June 2005, Mrs. Arroyo admitted talking to an “election official,” although she has not identified the official up to now.

She claimed it was a “lapse in judgment” on her part, and in a nationwide televised address said she was sorry.

The House of Representatives investigated the “Hello, Garci” scandal. Garcillano evaded investigation for six months. When he finally surfaced in December 2005, he admitted talking to Mrs. Arroyo only once during the election period and vote count in 2004.

The “Garci” tapes were made the basis of impeachment complaint against Mrs. Arroyo, which was twice dismissed on a technicality.

“How can the Filipino people feel good about our elections when the gross mistakes of the past continuously rear their heads in our electoral exercise, which can only mean that no genuine effort is being made to regain the public trust?” De Villa asked.

De Villa, former ambassador to the Vatican, admitted they were appalled by the delayed resolution of issues surrounding the elections in Maguindanao.

“For the sake of our almost 440,000 volunteers of PPCRV who risked their lives and limb to restore credibility to our elections, we call on the Comelec whom we tried with all our might to help come up with clean, honest, accurate, meaningful and peaceful elections to please stop this running travesty of the electoral process,” she appealed.

Lagdameo added the CBCP is also expected to discuss other pertinent issues, including extrajudicial killings of activists and journalists as well as the implementation of the new Anti-Terror Law.

Lagdameo, however, believed the unresolved issues of poll fraud and corruption against Mrs. Arroyo can no longer be raised in their meeting although they were consistently discussed in the last two plenary assemblies: “I don’t think that should be part of the agenda anymore,” he said.

In earlier pastoral statements, the bishops called on the Filipinos to continuously search the truth behind allegations against Mrs. Arroyo stemming from her questionable victory in the 2004 polls.


Opposition: Votes for 18 Senate bets prove fraud in
Maguindanao

COMELEC is a disgrace to Filipino nation

'COMELEC failed to resolve poll fraud'

The Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) criticized Thursday the Commission on Elections' alleged inability to exert effort to restore public trust.

“How can the Filipino people feel good about our elections when the gross mistakes of the past continuously rear their ugly heads in our electoral exercise which can only mean that no genuine effort is being made to regain the public trust?” PPCRV chairwoman Henrietta de Villa said.

The PPCRV, a national parish-based, non-partisan citizens' movement, described the last election as a classic picture of chaos where many Filipinos failed to freely and properly exercise their right to suffrage.

De Villa said the PPCRV is losing patience over the poll body’s canvassing delays and failure to resolve the credibility issue of the last elections.

She said allegations of cheating were due to COMELEC’s failure to address serious and legitimate concerns on the issue of fraud in Mindanao particularly the controversial Maguindanao certificates of canvass which delayed the national canvassing process.

“Election forms that have been missing since the purported canvassing (municipal and provincial) that no poll watcher was allowed to witness suddenly have begun to appear without sufficient believable explanation as to their disappearance then, and reappearance now,” de Villa said.

Reports said Maguindanao province delivered a 12-0 sweep for the administration’s Team Unity candidates.

She said the poll body’s “kid-glove” treatment of Maguindanao poll chief Lintang Bedol is a repeat of the “Hello, Garci” controversy, referring to the alleged anomaly involving former COMELEC commissioner Virgilio Garcillano during the 2004 presidential election.

PPCRV criticized Bedol for his repeated defiance of summons from the National Board of Canvassers and the COMELEC en banc resolutions, with the unexplained loss of poll documents supposedly in his custody.

“In an age of global media, scenes and images of Mr. Bedol relaxingly skirting accusations of electoral fraud before the Commission en banc, appearing almost invincible with a gun tucked under his waist in a major daily constitute a flagrant mockery of the electoral values we hope our citizens, especially our young ones will practice and uphold,” said de Villa.

The group also urged the COMELEC to solve the Maguindanao controversy and other election issues.

“For the sake of the 439,693 volunteers of the PPCRV who risked lives and limbs to restore credibility to our elections, we call on the COMELEC to please put a stop to this running travesty of the electoral process,” de Villa said.

The COMELEC has yet to proclaim the 12th senator since canvassing has not been completed despite its assurance that winning national bets will be proclaimed within two weeks after the polls. Also, party-list groups who won a seat at the House of Representatives have yet to be proclaimed.

Senator Trillanes vows probe on GMA’s poll fraud, to work for ouster

The 2007 Comelec’s National Board of Canvassers and the 2004 Joint Congressional National Board of Canvassers have one in common; all pleas and objections are DENIED and NOTED. Sen. Francis Pangilinan and then Rep.Raul Gonzalez arrogantly denied and simply noted all FPJ camp’s pleading and objections. This time, shameless elections commissionaires denied and set-aside pleas and objections from the opposition camp.

Both elections are fraud-tainted. As a result, both national canvassers made a mockery of democratic processes and rule of law. Well, the Philippines have a fake president and fake senator of the republic. It is indeed a national shame. Senator Trillanes' top agenda is to investigate electoral fraud in 2004 and 2007 and how prevent it from happening again. I hope that Garci and Bedol clones and scalawag generals are history.


Trillanes vows probe on GMA’s poll fraud, to work for ouster

By Gina Peralta-Elorde

Daily Tribune 06/30/2007

Jailed military rebel Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday took his oath as senator, before a barangay captain of Caloocan City, and promised to use his new position to work for the ouster of President Arroyo.

Trillanes, 36, was allowed out of detention to take his oath in Caloocan City following his victory in the May 14 mid-term elections.

More than 11 million voted for the former Navy lieutenant accused of leading a failed military mutiny that paralyzed Manila’s financial district in July 2003. The rising was swiftly crushed without a shot being fired when the rest of the military refused to join the revolt.

Trillanes told reporters Friday that when he begins his work in the Senate next month, he will work to prove Mrs. Arroyo cheated to win the May 2004 presidential elections.

“If we want to serve the country, we have to get rid of Gloria Arroyo,” he said.

He also called on Team Unity senatorial aspirant Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri “to have the decency” to quit the race, and adverted to Zubiri as a “cheat” or at the very least, a beneficiary of the poll fraud in Maguindanao.

Trillanes also vowed to open a probe on the Maguindanao poll fraud.

Zubiri was incensed at hearing the charges of Trillanes and threatened to file a lawsuit against the senator, calling Trillanes a destabilizer and a destroyer of the economy, as well as charging him for being “immature” and ignorant of the “parameters” of a senator and parliamentary courtesies.

Trillanes made history when he ran as part of the opposition slate while in detention in a military stockade. He is still on trial on charges of trying to topple the government.

A case is now pending in court on whether Trillanes can be allowed out of detention to attend Senate sessions.

The 24-member Senate is dominated by Arroyo opponents who have consistently charged that the President cheated to beat the opposition presidential candidate, movie star Fernando Poe Jr., in 2004.

Trillanes yesterday vowed to prioritize the investigation of the alleged cheating in the May 14 2004 elections involving military officials and as well as the spate of killings involving leftist members and leaders.

Trillanes at the same time advised Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Hermogenes Esperon Jr. to seek a government post after his retirement to avoid the summons from the legislative hearings of his involvement in the alleged May 2004 nationwide election cheating.

Esperon is set to retire on Feb. 28, 2008. Trillanes’ term beyond 2010.

Trillanes said he and some opposition senators have gathered testimonies by witnesses and documentary evidence of alleged vote-rigging, not only in Maguindanao province but in other areas as well.

According to Trillanes, Esperon can invoke Executive Order (EO) 464 until he retires and it is better for him to line up and apply for a new position if he wants to invoke it.

EO 464, issued last year, bars government and security officials from testifying in legislative hearings without clearance from Mrs. Arroyo. The Supreme Court struck down several of the order’s provisions as unconstitutional last year.

Despite this, Esperon has said he would invoke EO 464 to evade congressional hearings that Trillanes plans to call to look into extra-judicial killings and the alleged cheating in the 2004 elections.

Nevertheless, Trillanes, who is being tried in both civil and military courts for being an alleged mutiny leader, maintained: “It’s nothing personal. We are after the truth.”

Trillanes added he would summon other military and governments officials who were involved in the supposed cheating operations.

Esperon was linked to the election fraud controversy after he and three other senior officers, who have all retired, were mentioned in purported wiretapped telephone conversations between Mrs. Arroyo and her alleged accomplice in vote-rigging operations, former Elections Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.

“Garci (Garcillano) mentioned his (Esperon’s) name clearly. Garci will not fool the President by dropping his name if he had not talked to her,” Trillanes said.

In the tapes, it was implied that Esperon had a hand in the relief of then Marine Brig. Gen. Francisco Gudani, who was perceived to be sympathetic to the opposition, as 1st Marine Brigade commander. A military fact-finding board cleared the four so-called “Hello Garci” generals but its report was not fully disclosed to the public.

A gag order was issued just as Gudani and another Marine officer was to testify before the Senate into the alleged electoral fraud. EO 464 followed.

Relatedly, Trillanes also claimed that the three unidentified generals who were quoted to be helping him in gathering evidence in some government anomalies were real and true.

But Trillanes refused to answer more questions regarding the issue saying things would just be preempted.

The generals were quoted as saying that the murders of leftist militants were discussed openly in military command conferences, and that a general told his men that to get promoted, they had to kill activists.

“They (generals) are for real,” Trillanes said.

The newspaper report said the generals would give Trillanes evidence during the hearings.

Trillanes was sworn in by Ruben Gatchalian, Barangay (village) 169 chairman, before a packed crowd at a covered basketball court that was filled with ribbons and streamers in red, the known color of the Magdalo group, of which he was one of its alleged leaders that staged the July 27, 2003 mutiny at the posh Oakwood Apartments in Makati City.

“I assure you I can accomplish the mission you gave me,” said Trillanes who wore a blue Barong Tagalog, in a speech after the oath-taking.

To his family, Trillanes said, “They have been my strength ever since I went to Oakwood and until now.”

Aside from Trillanes’ children – Seth, 9, and Thea, 8; his mother, Estelita, and other relatives – also present at the oath-taking were Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, a former Armed Forces chief, Caloocan Rep. Luis Asistio and former Caloocan City Mayor Rey Malonzo.

A marching band welcomed Trillanes, who arrived under heavy guard from his detention cell at the Philippine Marine headquarters in Fort Bonifacio.

Trillanes has been charged with coup d’etat over the foiled mutiny in 2003.

He led a mutiny of young Army officers against Mrs. Arroyo in 2003 due to perceived graft and corruption in the military and the administration.

While some of the mutiny leaders have reconciled with the President after making public apologies, Trillanes has remained unrepentant, criticizing Mrs. Arroyo’s government for widespread corruption and rights abuses.

He faces rebellion charges at the Makati City Regional Trial Court and several violations of the Philippine Army’s Articles of War before a military tribunal. If found guilty, he has to give up his Senate seat. With AFP

Zubiri Tops Maguindanao Votes Recounting

Elections chief Abalos is an accomplice to the massive fraud

The COMELEC’s yo-yo policy in handling Maguindanao fraudulent election results is a bad precedent. Why? Are they instructed by Gloria Arroyo to dislodge Koko Pimentel in the winning circle? Where’s Lintang Bedol?


Election watchdog Kontra Daya said Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Benjamin Abalos is an accomplice to the massive fraud in Maguindanao.

Fr. Joe Dizon, Kontra Daya spokesperson, said, “Abalos does not confront head on the accusations of massive fraud in Maguindanao. Instead, he obscures the situation to give leeway for machinations in favor of administration candidate Miguel Zubiri.”

Dizon said, “By refusing to exclude the highly tainted provincial certificate of canvass from the national canvassing and proclaim the Genuine Opposition’s Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Abalos is still finding ways to get Team Unity’s Zubiri on the 12th slot.”

The Kontra Daya spokesperson hit the Comelec’s handling of Lintang Bedol, head of the Maguindano Board of Canvassers. “Bedol disappeared for some time then mysteriously reappeared saying that the municipal certificates of canvass (COCs) were stolen from right under his nose. Abalos has not ordered Bedol’s suspension pending a thorough investigation and now accepts uncritically the self-serving statement of Governor Ampatuan, represented by his lawyer, that elections were held in a proper and fraud-free way. Abalos also uncritically accepts the statement of the provincial BOC that elections were held on the basis of the alleged minutes of their meeting signed by no less than Bedol himself. Abalos handling of Bedol shows his complicity with the kind of vote manipulation and bare-faced manufacture of results that obviously took place in Maguindanao.”

Kontra Daya criticized the Comelec for its “deliberate effort to confuse the public, especially concerned citizens’ groups, on the schedule of hearings on Maguindanao.” Kontra Daya learned that even the party-list group Bayan Muna failed to manifest its protestations due to this. It was pointed out that Bayan Muna was the one who presented two critical witnesses to the massive fraud in the province, one of whom has been cold bloodedly murdered.

Dizon said, “Witnesses who have executed affidavits proving electoral fraud have not received subpoena from the Comelec. They have not aired their stories. The cover-up aims to save Lintang Bedol, Abalos and Comelec itself from any accountability on the Maguindanao fraud.”

Dizon added, “The Comelec has not valued the life of whistle blower Musa Dimasidsing. The Comelec did not exert any effort to protect his life and the truth about the Maguindanao elections. The lives of other witnesses are in danger and the shameless Abalos does nothing.”

Dimasidsing, a school district supervisor, was shot dead, June 9.

Dizon said, “If the Comelec insists on counting the COCs from Maguindanao, it will only prove once again that it is the machinery of the Arroyo administration for massive cheating.”

Related Links
Philippine Elections: Illusion of Democracy?
Postscript to the May 2007 Elections

Los Angeles Times: Jailed Filipino likely to be a senator

Comelec’s delaying tactics regarding the proclamation of Antonio Trillanes IV as senator of the republic is direct contempt and insult to 11+ million voters. It’s affirmed and validated that Chairman Benjamin Abalos is following orders or directives from usurper Gloria Arroyo. Trillanes cannot be dislodged from the winning circle even he got zero votes from Maguindanao. Chairman Abalos and rest of elections commissionaires are disgrace to Philippines’ fragile democracy. Anak ng jueteng, wala ba kayong natitirang delicadeza? RESIGN en mass!
UPDATE: The Commission on Elections is set to proclaim Genuine Opposition candidate Antonio Trillanes IV as senator on Friday, DZMM reported.

The COMELEC en banc, which is sitting as National Board of Canvassers, announced its decision after canvassing votes from Surigao del Norte Thursday. It said Trillanes got 44,604 votes from the province.

Trillanes placed 11th in the Senate race. ABS-CBN News

The Trillanes Dilemma

Trillanes Keeps the Fire Burning

The political victory of ex- Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV is a repudiation of morally bankrupt Arroyo regime. The more than 11 million voters supported his anti-corruption advocacy and protest vote against GMA’s anti-people policies. Majority of the Filipino people based on surveys want the ouster of bogus President Gloria Arroyo whether via military intervention, resignation or people’s uprising. The victory of the Genuine Opposition-UNO in the senate race is a referendum or no confidence vote against Gloria Arroyo and her corrupt government. Finally, the ultimate reward will be the prosecution and conviction of Jose Pidal and Gloria for their crimes against the Filipino people.

“If I’m going to craft policies that will focus on anti-corruption, we can’t have an anticorruption drive implemented by a corrupt President, so it’s impossible, I can only do so much".

"I believe we can clinch the required number of congressmen to impeach her. The only way for this country to move forward is to move Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo out of the way.” Former Navy Lt. Antonio Trillanes IV


Senator-to-be Antonio Trillanes IV of the Genuine Opposition does not disappoint those who trace the mess that this country is in to the illegitimacy of the Arroyo presidency.

Foremost, he never refers to Arroyo as "president". Just plain Gloria Arroyo.

In his interview last Monday with ABS-CBN’s Ces Drilon, the first after he was granted post-election media access, he said he would work for the impeachment of Gloria Arroyo.

This categorical declaration, at this time when some of the opposition senators-elect are taking a magnanimous attitude towards the Arroyo, has elicited strong reactions.

It’s perfectly okay with me because I believe that no one who was ever elected by the people should hold the presidency. Given the many crimes against the Filipino people that Arroyo has committed, I believe such an undertaking is long overdue.

But I know of others who want a respite from wearying political hostilities. There is also the aspect that he was elected senator (I’m presuming that he will soon be proclaimed senator because he won) who would only be able to participate in an impeachment process if the Senate is convened as an impeachment court. An impeachment complaint is initiated in the House of Representatives.

Ces asked, given that the numbers in the Lower House do not favor of the opposition, would he still pursue his advocacy of Gloria Arroyo’s impeachment?

Trillanes’ reply: "The impeachment advocacy has been my campaign line because I believe that’s the only way for this country to move forward. We have lined up several legislative proposals which require primarily executive action. We can’t possibly expect these policies to be implemented by such a corrupt president. So I’m being straightforward to the people that we can’t do much as long as we have GMA as president."

He said his winning the senate race despite all the odds – in detention, lack of funds, very few TV ads – was a statement from the people that they want change.

He sees the lack of numbers among the congressmen now as surmountable. He said his senatorial win broke several conventions in Philippine politics. "We have done practically the impossible. It shows it can be done."

He elaborated how he is going to go about it. "If I can convince people to vote for me, I believe I can also convince congressmen to support impeachment. Or I can convince sectors of society to convince congressmen to support impeachment."

In a separate interview with DZMM’s Anthony Taberna and Gerry Baja yesterday, he expressed the desire to be part of the Blue Ribbon and the Defense committees. I can imagine that through investigation in aid of legislation, he would be able to uncover more impeachable crimes committed by Arroyo.

Trillanes told Ces Drilon that impeaching Arroyo "is the only way to go. And I will keep on delivering that message. We can have change now, outside Gloria and move forward to progress. Or we can tolerate three years of what we have now with Gloria at the helm."

He pursued the same line in his answer to ANC’s Ricky Carandang, who joined the interview from the studio. Asked about his legislative agenda, Trillanes replied that the legislative agenda he presented to the people necessitates the removal of Arroyo. He cited his anti-corruption position: "You cannot possibly expect and anti-corruption legislation to be implemented by a corrupt president. We have to be real about the situation."

He said it’s the same thing in the areas of peace and order. He disclosed that he is in the process of conceptualizing a comprehensive Mindanao peace plan that will include conflict resolution, infrastructure development, enhanced economy and social services. "We can’t have this under GMA because GMA is the one responsible for the endless war in Mindanao. She had her chance. For six years, she mismanaged the country and right now, she can’t possibly say anything as regards the Mindanao war because she’s the one who perpetuated it."

It will be recalled that when Trillanes and some 300 soldiers belonging to the Magdalo staged what is now referred to as the Oakwood mutiny on July 27, 2003, they disclosed the Greenbase documents which exposed the plan of Arroyo and her national security officials to control Mindanao for business interests.

To those who are concerned that he would not be a fair and impartial judge in case of an impeachment trial against Arroyo, he explained that impeachment is a political trial whose end is not criminal conviction but a change in political leadership.

"So the ultimate judgment is based not only on the overall political assessment (but also) of whether it is in the best interest of the country for the accused public official to continue serving in government."

Four years of detention has not doused the fire of idealism that we saw in Oakwood. I like what I’m seeing.



Readers who missed a column can go to http://www.ellentordesillas.com

Email address: ellentordesillas@gmail.com

Boxer Manny Pacquiao's Millions Shake Banks

Who’s in charge of TU’s campaign funds? The usual suspects may have pocketed or shaved campaign funds. Jose Pidal and Gloria had gone berserk why her TUTA got clobbered nationwide despite of sky the limit funding. Somebody may have profited big time from TU funds. There’s no such thing as GMA‘s Team Unity bailiwick in Mindanao. Administration’s so-called bailiwicks are equivalent to vote-padding and vote-shaving (dagdag-bawas scheme), bribery, deliberate disenfranchisement of voters, intimidation, terrorism and other forms of cheating. The fraudulent election results in Maguindanao and Lanao Del Sur are the best showcase of Comelec chief Benjamin Abalos' legacy. Defeated congressional candidate Manny Pacquiao has problem of reimbursing his election expenses as promised by Malacanang. P140 million is a big amount to spend for retirement in luxury in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao should reveal the names of Malacanang officials who duped him to run against Rep. Darlene Custudio and promised all expenses are paid for. I presumed it was a gentleman’s deal.

Manny’s millions shake banks
Business Mirror 06/04/2007 By Jun Vallecera Reporter

A LOCALLY-BASED thrift bank and two branches of regular commercial banks based in Manila are having difficulties servicing their clients panicked by the sudden withdrawal of most of the deposits of boxing champion Manny Pacquiao.
Informed sources said Pacquiao withdrew all his money from a bank in General Santos City as he conducted a personal audit and found he spent more than P140 million in election-related expenses but was still trounced by his diminutive political opponent.
The withdrawal triggered similar withdrawals in two other banks in the city whose own clients heard of the sudden Pacquiao withdrawal, according to the sources.
None of the banks was identified but two of them are branches of two Manila-based commercial banks and the other is a locally-based thrift institution, the sources said.
Sources said the banks hit by sympathetic withdrawals dealt with their problems by accessing the overnight market to service worried depositors.
According to the sources, Pacquiao, who ran under the Kabalikat ng Malayang Pilipino (Kampi), was miffed that his Metro Manila-based political principals did not deliver their end of the bargain as he sought the reimbursement of expenses arising from his decision to seek an elective position in his native province of South Cotabato.
There was a reported deal for Pacquiao to spend from out of his personal pockets, with the principals pledging to reimburse every centavo spent at the end of the campaign period.
According to sources, Pacquiao called his political principals as it became clear just days before the actual May 14 elections that he would lose his bid to get a congressional seat, only to have them cut the phone line abruptly.
Subsequent attempts to reestablish contact proved futile, and this led Pacquiao to take all his money from the banks, ostensibly so the boxing champion could take stock of what was left of his personal wealth, the sources said.
Temporarily illiquid banks, such as those hit by mass withdrawals, borrow from others on very short term basis and return the money right after.
That the problem was addressed adequately by the overnight market and without the intervention of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas was a clear indication of the relative strength of the banking system as a whole, the sources said.
Meanwhile, a member of Team Pacquiao said it was possible that the superstar boxer did lose that much money in his attempt to become a congressman.
“The P140-million plus Manny lost, [that] could be true,” a Pacquiao confidante said. “Definitely, it’s not lower than P100 million.”
One instance relating to how Pacquiao was duped is how two operators charged the boxer P500,000 but never worked for him after being paid.
The operators said they would help Pacquiao in his campaign but would only do so if Pacquiao paid them the initial sum. Pacquiao never heard from them again. He later found out that they were already working in his rival’s camp.

Maguindanao ballots filled in banana farm

Philippines bogus President Gloria Arroyo has consistent negative trust ratings since the power grab in 2001. In fact she was rejected by the majority of the Filipino electorate in 2004 presidential election. The rubber stamp Philippine Congress proclaimed her the “winner”? contrary to massive and systematic electoral fraud in Mindanao, Sulu, Cebu, Pampamga, Pangasisnan and Ilocos Sur. All protest and anomalies by the opposition were merely NOTED by her political allies in the joint congress vote canvassing. The repeat of 2004 electoral fraud is happening in Maguindanao, Lanao, Sulu and Cotabato. The resignation of Comelec Commissionaire Rene Sarmiento as Maguindanao poll investigator can be interpreted as, he can no longer stomach Malacanang’s dirty works. Perhaps he cannot produce thru hocus focus millions of votes in favor of losing TU bets.
The result of the senatorial race in favor of the opposition reflects the true sentiments of the Filipino people. Filipinos want her out. In her own turf, Pamapanga province two of GMA allies were castigated and rebuked by a crusading priest. Malacanang and the Comelec are desperate to change the outcome of election results in Moslem Mindanao regions thru massive and systematic electoral fraud in favor of Gloria Arroyo’s Team Unity. Evil Gloria Arroyo and her trusted dog Benjamin Abalos are inviting people’s uprising. Rebellion is justified if discredited and abusive government rams their agenda against the will of its citizens. It’s not right to send senators in the halls of congress without a popular mandate. Filipino patriots must protect sacred votes at all cost.



Maguindanao ballots
filled in banana farm
Teachers’ lament: ‘Will it always be like this?’

Malaya BY DENNIS GADIL

FOUR teachers surfaced yesterday to confirm that in a Maguindanao town, armed men operating in a banana farm filled up official ballots with names of Team Unity candidates.

The teachers, accompanied by re-electionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson at the Genuine Opposition headquarters in Makati City, served as Board of Election Inspectors in Pagalungan town, which has 12 barangays with at least 10,000 registered voters.

One of the teachers, Abdul (not his real name), said they were escorted by armed men to a remote area outside Libang town on the morning of May 14. He said they had just collected ballot boxes from the municipal hall in Pagalungan.

He said Provincial Election Supervisor Eliza Gazmin was inside the municipal hall when they were "abducted."

He said they thought the armed men, some in military jackets and jeans, were their military escorts to the polling precinct in Buliok.

He said they rode a van and then a pump boat, which took them to a remote place of banana stands.

"Pagkaahon namin sa pumpboat, lahat ng cell namin kinuha. Pinatay ang cell phone. Doon kami sa sagingan. Pinabuksan sa amin ang ballot box. Sila na bahala sumulat. Pinabayaan namin, takot kami kasi armado," he said.

Abdul recalled that the names of Cesar Montano and Rep. Prospero Pichay were on the official ballots.

He said the armed men were aided by companions already in the area.

He said there were more than 100 election inspectors in the banana farm that election morning.

He said their other colleagues are also willing to testify.

The teachers said they were taken behind the Montawal municipal hall at around 3 p.m. and told to wait until nightfall.

They were then transferred to another government office in Shariff Aguak and were told to start filling up the election returns (ERs). A female teacher said they spent three days and three nights preparing the ERs.

They said a certain Mohammad Andoy, a former president of the Association of Barangay Chairmen, accompanied them from Montawal to Shariff Aguak.

One female witness said that on May 17 at 11:45 p.m., they were sent to the office of Gazmin for the proclamation of the winners. The results were 12-0 in favor of the TU ticket.

They said Gazmin administered the proclamation even if only four barangays had been canvassed. Votes from eight more barangays still had to be counted.

The four teachers were told to keep quiet and received P3,000 each for their "cooperation."

"Instruction nila, sabi nila pagbalik sa area, kailangan close mouth. Walang salita na pangontra sa kanila. Yan ang order nila, order is an order," one of the teachers said.

"Actually our role was only to open the ballot boxes and sign the tampered documents. We were fed enough and paid also for our cooperation," another teacher-witness said.

"Kung hindi kami lalantad, habambuhay ganito na lang lagi. Noong 2004, kahit may dayaan, at least sa polling precincts. Ngayong 2007, grabe na, sa sagingan na ang botohan," he said.

Another female witness said: "Para tumigil ang kalokohan (kaya kami lumabas). Kaming teacher ang kawawa, tapos wala kaming maano diyan. Kami, for the sake of the people. Kawawa ang tao na walang katapusan ang paghihirap nila."

The four witnesses appealed to media to hide their real identities to protect their families in Maguindanao.

Abdul said he could identify some of the armed men because they did not bother to hide their faces.

The witnesses said a friend, a known supporter of Lacson, arranged their coming out.

"Doon kami nagkita sa Davao," one of the witnesses said.

Abdul said their other colleagues who witnessed the election fraud are executing their affidavits and are also ready to come out.

He said it was expensive to bring them all in Manila.

Lacson said the surfacing of the four witnesses boosted his plan to file a petition to declare a failure of elections in Maguindanao province.

"They are going to appear before an executive session of Comelec to support my petition to declare failure of elections in Maguindanao. Worried lang sila sa safety nila," Lacson said.

The National Board of Canvassers (NBC) ordered the re-canvassing of the municipal certificates of canvass (MCOCs) of North and South Cotabato after their Provincial Election Supervisors (PES) failed to appear despite summons.

Comelec chairman Benjamin Abalos ordered that new sets of provincial board of canvassers (PBOCs) for the two provinces be created after PES Lilian Radam (South Cotabato) and Yogie Maritzar (North Cotabato) could not be located.

Leila de Lima, counsel for Alan Peter Cayetano, said that the entries in the Koronadal City COC are different from the ones listed in the provincial statement of votes (SOV).

Among the affected candidates are Edgardo Angara (20,008 city COC; 30,008 provincial SOV), Joker Arroyo (16,697; 26,697), Michael Defensor (11,456; 21,456), Loren Legarda (37,711; 40,711), Vic Magsaysay (8,663; 18,663), Tessie Oreta (5,564; 15,564), Prospero Pichay (10,422; 20,422), Ralph Recto (14,506; 28,506), Tito Sotto (7,174; 17,174) and Juan Miguel Zubiri (21,813; 7,183).

The South Cotabato re-canvassing is set today. The PBOC is headed by Nelia Aureaus.

The date for the North Cotabato re-canvassing, headed by Jovencio Balanquit, has yet to be set.

Discrepancies were also manifested by opposition counsel in the COC of North Cotabato.

De Lima said the absence of Radam and Maritzar is an indication of guilt.

Rex Robles, counsel for Antonio Trillanes IV, said the two should be cited for contempt.

Romulo Macalintal, an administration lawyer, said they will not oppose any motion from the opposition as long as the allegations are supported by concrete evidence and a formal petition.

The NBC also set aside the controversial COC from Maguindanao after the members of the municipal Board of Canvassers (MBOC), who were summoned last Friday, failed to appear.

Abalos said the MBOC members, including Maguindanao provincial election supervisor Lintang Bedol, might be culpable for contempt of court if they fail to explain their absence.

The NBC has also ordered the creation of a new set of provincial board of canvassers to determine whether the municipal certificates of canvass are still viable to be re-canvassed after the counsel for the opposition questioned and petitioned for the exclusion of the provincial board of canvassers. – With Gerard Naval
Related Links:

Where there’s smoke there’s fire
Lanao Del Sur Special Elections
Classic case of dagdag-dagdag
Philippine opposition warns of brewing crisis over vote-rigging allegations

‘Blatant’ cheating in Sulu exposed

The deliberate stalling tactic to delay the proclamation winning senatorial candidates is a reminiscent of 2004 fraudulent presidential election. Malacanang and elections chief manipulator Benjamin Abalos are cooking the DEVIL’S RECIPE-electoral fraud. There’s strong proof that systematic cheating in Maguindanao, Lanao and Sulu in favor of Gloria’s TUTA and yet Comelec chief Abalos have no enthusiasm to investigate alleged election irregularities. The presence of ex-generals Lomibao and Palparan and election operators in Lanao Del Sur special elections may have something to do with devil’s recipe. Malacanang is determined the entry of additional 3 TU bets in the magic 12 by hook and by crook and this is an invitation of an uprising. Gloria Arroyo’s bogus presidency is a by-product of massive cheating in Mindanao.


‘Blatant’ cheating in Sulu exposed
Election officials accused of collusion

BY DENNIS GADIL

A LAWYER for the Genuine Opposition yesterday said poll cheating was so blatant in Sulu province that even the incumbent congressman and the governor actively participated in rigging the results.

"We have witnesses to prove (that) on May 13, lahat ng ballots filled-up na ng tao ng mga pulitiko, kasama ang Comelec municipal election supervisor, (as) per instruction of the provincial election supervisor," Diego Palomares, a former judge, mayor and assemblyman, said in a media briefing at the GO headquarters in Makati City.

He added: "We have documents to support, walang election sa Luuk, Kalingalan-Caluang at Tungkil."

Palomares said a policeman who executed an affidavit even claimed seeing Sulu Gov. Sakur Tan and Rep. Munir Arbison personally supervising the filling up of ballots and election returns (ERs) on the eve of Election Day.

"Ang incumbent Rep. Munir Arbison, kasama ang provincial Gov. Sakur Tan, pumasok sa municipal hall where the ballots and election paraphernalia were stored. They took control and supervised the filling up of ballots," Palomares said, quoting the affidavit of the policeman whom he refused to identify.

He said Arbison, a re-electionist congressman who represents the second district of Sulu, and the wife of Tan, Hajja, even personally filled up the ballots.

Palomares said in Kalingalan-Caluang in Sulu, a barangay chairman spearheaded the filling up of ballots from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m. of May 14 or hours before the opening of polling precincts.

Palomares said he and his son, Dunhill, a law student in Davao City, were able to obtain the affidavits of more than a hundred voters and watchers who attested that no actual voting took place in the second district of Sulu which has at least 100,000 voters.

He said the affidavits run from A to U.

Sulu’s second district is composed of 10 municipalities including Luuk town where Alan Peter Cayetano and Benigno Aquino III got zero votes.

Palomares said would-be voters were shooed away by the regional Comelec officials during Election Day and were told that they have already voted.

Palomares said the voters also affixed their own thumb marks on the affidavits as proof that the thumb marks found on the ballots were not theirs.

The GO lawyer said they worked on the affidavits for four days. Palomares said the witnesses are willing to come forward.

Palomares said more than a hundred voters who were already working in Sabah, Malaysia were also able to "vote" with the others voting for them.

He said he witnessed election fraud in Sulu but he was only told by the perpetrators, some of whom were board of election inspectors, to go ahead and sue them.

"Yung ibang (watcher) na nagrereklamo, binibigyan nila ng balota at sinasabihan, ‘sige ilagay mo kung sino’ng gusto mo’ para matahimik ka lang," he said.

Palomares stressed that the corrupt BEIs and Comelec officials should be charged with electoral sabotage.

Re-electionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson said they will use the affidavits of the voters and watchers as basis in filing charges against Comelec officials in Sulu before the Ombudsman. Lacson said the case will be filed Monday.

"Comelec na lang yata ang hindi nakakaalam na may widespread cheating. Now we have two witnesses," Lacson said.

Lacson said his group will provide security to Palomares and his son.

Lacson and GO spokesman Adel Tamano showed a footage of policemen from the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) shooing away watchers from a polling precinct in Ganasi, Lanao del Sur.

The policemen took over the counting and even personally tallied the votes.

Tamano said the watchers were allowed to return only after some hours and were told to just sign the ERs, indicating that the counting was over.

As of Thursday, the Comelec had canvassed 88 percent of the votes and hopes to wind up its tally Friday.

Comelec has finished counting all 154 certificates of canvass (COC) from overseas absentee voting, and 104 COCs from local and local absentee voting for a total of 258 COCs.

The Comelec, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers ordered the second deferment of the COCs from Maguindanao.

The NBC arrived at the decision at the conclusion of arguments between Provincial Election Supervisor Lintang Bedol, administration lawyer Romulo Macalintal and opposition lawyers.

"With the admission of Bedol that none from opposition was present, none of copies for dominant minority has been furnished, considering the number of zeros, the board has resolved to defer the canvassing of the COC from Maguindanao," chairman Benjamin Abalos said.

Abalos said they will require the presence of other election personnel from the municipalities, BEIs and the province to give a hand in explaining the "step-by-step" conduct of canvassing in the whole province.

Bedol appeared before the NBC after his presence was required by the board when the reading of Maguindanao COCs was deferred last Tuesday.

The COCs revealed that Team Unity swept the senatorial race with Luis Singson in No. 1.

Seven GO candidates got zero votes. They are Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino, Alan Peter Cayetano, Nikki Coseteng, Panfilo Lacson, John Osmeña, Sonia Roco and Antonio Trillanes.

Francis Escudero was at 13th place followed by Manny Villar and Loren Legarda. Aquilino Pimentel III was at 17th place.

Bedol failed to recount the procedure that the provincial canvassers went through after it was questioned by opposition lawyers.

He also admitted that he is still in possession of the ER copies of the dominant minority party as well as that of the Namfrel as there was no one who claimed it. – With Gerard Naval . MALAYA .

Related Links:
PCIJ: All eyes on Lanao del Sur
Davao del Sur cheating
Davao City Vote Padding
Lanao del Sur election returns transfered to a hotel by Garci men

Comelec is responsible for failure of elections

It’s not failure of elections in some parts of the country, but, its failure of the independent electoral body-COMELEC to conduct fair and clean elections. Massive cheating, vote-buying, intentional disfranchisement of voters, ballot snatching, tampering of election results, terrorism and intimidation are deliberately planned to achieve GMA’s political victory by hook and by crook. Comelec is the extension arm of GMA cheating machine in conspiracy with rogue top military officers. The repeat of 2004 massive fraud is in place. Filipino patriots must stop this Mindanao frenzy.

The usual alibi by Comelec chief Abalos when his men hands caught in cookie jar: ‘HONEST MISTAKE’. No Sir! It’s deliberate and intentional. The fraudulent results in Maguindanao, Lanao, Davao City, Sulu, Zambales and elsewhere need a deeper investigation. Electoral sabotage is a crime against the Filipino people. Fraud witnesses can not come openly due to fear of their lives and safety of their families. They don’t trust the Comelec because it’s closely identified with Jose Pidal and Gloria Arroyo. Comelec has a credibility problem after the Hello Garci political scam. Malacanang surrogate congressional candidate Manny Pacquiao was KO'ed by 98 pounder Magnolia's solid bolo punch in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

Is it true that Comelec chief Abalos had been paid P200 million to install Ben Dy as Isabela governor? Malacanang's dirty hands are all over the place from Batanes Is. up to Tawi-Tawi Is. COMELEC REALLY STINKS!

‘Cat’s paws used for ER thumbmarks, Namfrel says

GO bares massive fraud in Lanao

By Jojo Arazas and Angie M. Rosales

Daily Tribune 05/24/2007

Massive electoral cheating in administration bailiwicks, including the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) can no longer be ignored — not even by the Com-mission on Elections (Comelec), as the body, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers yesterday was forced to defer the canvassing of votes from Sulu, given that there were massive erasures in the certificates of canvass (CoC), which also showed that two Genuine Opposition (GO) senatorial bets, Alan Peter Cayetano and Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino lll had zero votes from the town of Luuk while nuisance candidate Joselito “Juju” Cayetanoobtained 187 votes.

Alan Cayetano’s lawyer, Leila From page 1

de Lima, questioned Vidzfar Amil Julie, provincial election supervisor of Sulu, on the “noted unauthenticated superimpositions on figures” in the CoC which clearly bore no initials from the poll officers who made the erasures.

At the same time, GO and the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel), in separate press conferences, presented their evidence, consisting of video footage and tampered election returns marking the massive election cheating in the province of Lanao.

They sought the help of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Comelec on these issues.

Lanao del Norte chief legal counsel for GO, lawyer Subejano, in a briefing at the GO Headquarters in Makati City, showed media video footage which he said he personally recorded where three ballot boxes from the municipalities of Maigo, Bacolod and Kauswagan were seen as having been tampered with, as the seals of envelopes containing the statements of votes (SoV) and CoC inside the ballot boxes were still wet and tampered with, adding that the seals might have been removed and then pasted again.

For its part, Namfrel showed media election documents that had cat’s paws serving as thumbmarks and asked the Comelec to segregate the votes in Maguindanao, Lanao del Sur and Sulu pending an investigation on reported voting irregularities in the provinces.

Lawyer Howard Calleja, legal counsel of Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV), said the Comelec should conduct an executive session to get accounts of witnesses on poll fraud.

Subejano said that in one village in Maigo town, he was surrounded by a group of people after he tried to question the canvassing of ballots. He urged the Comelec to stop the canvassing of votes from the three municipalities.

Maigo has an estimated 48,000 to 50,000 registered voters, Bacolod has 14,000 while Kauswagan has 12,000 to 13,000.

“The boxes were forcibly opened. It is very evident that envelops were opened and pasted back as evidenced by the wet paste,” Subejano said.

He disclosed that in some precincts in Tubod, also in Lanao del Norte, he personally witnessed how the words Team Unity were credited to each administration senatorial candidate. “When they were appreciating the votes, I noticed the election officials crediting to each administration candidate votes from ballots where the words Team Unity were written instead of the names of the candidates,” Subejano said.

GO senatorial bet Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel yesterday threatened to file a case of “electoral sabotage” a new crime that is penalized with life imprisonment, as stated in the election law which was passed by Congress in January, against Davao Provincial Board of Canvassers after his watchers noticed his votes were shaved by around 85,000 and added to administration candidate Ralph Recto, with another 70,000 added to TU bet Luis “Chavit” Singson, even as the Comelec officials claimed it was a “clerical error.”

“This is a mockery of the election system. The culprits should be punished,” he said.

GO reelectionist Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who is assured of a new mandate, yesterday rallied behind the planned filing of electoral sabotage charges by Pimentel.

Lacson urged Pimentel to include not only poll fraud operators but also officials of the Comelec and even candidates involved in the conspiracy of cheating, saying it is high time to put a stop to the “culture of cheating in this country.”

“I would love to see a Comelec official and a candidate, winner or loser, spend the rest of their lifetime in jail. The higher (the official), the better. The cheating culture in our country must stop,” he said.

Recto was quick to clear his name, denying any knowledge in what he claimed as an inadvertent addition of votes to him.

“It came as a complete surprise to us,” Recto’s chief of staff, lawyer Aristotle Liwanag said.

Recto said he is amenable to have this probed by the Comelec and the Namfrel to determine whether this was a clerical error.

Recto’s camp raised suspicions that such allegations could be aimed at sabotaging the re-electionist’s candidacy to put a cloud of doubt on the mandate he will receive from the people.

With the numerous reports on massive cheating anew in the recently-concluded electoral exercise, Lacson said those involved in the poll fraud operations in the May 14 elections deserve the distinction of being the first to be charged with the relatively new crime of electoral sabotage

Lacson himself appeared to be a victim of such cheating in Zamboanga del Sur, where he placed fourth or fifth in the tally of the Namfrel. Namfrel then had tallied 46.08 percent of the votes, and Lacson got 60,812 votes.

But after a long delay, the final provincial canvass figures showed Lacson got 80,880 votes, ranking only 15th and was overtaken by the TU “tailender” candidates.

Sec. 42 of Republic Act 9369, the new election law, defines electoral sabotage as a special election offense that penalizes any person, election inspector or canvasser who tampers with the votes with life imprisonment.

Meanwhile, the Namfrel chairman in Marawi City also yesterday exposed more poll fraud evidence in Lanao del Sur towns, presenting some elections returns (ERs) containing marks that even the naked eye could see came from either dogs or cats, and certainly not humans.

This use of thumb marks from cats’ paws were also resorted to in 2004, as shown in many ERs in Mindanao by the opposition in 2004, which the opposition congressmen were also trying to present before the House justice committee in 2005 during the impeachment bid against President Arroyo.

“Look at the thumb marks. They are much too small. Either they used their little finger, or used cats to fill up the space for thumb marks,” Namfrel-Marawi chief Mama Palawan said as he bared the ERs to reporters during a press briefing at La Salle Greenhill in San Juan.

There were also other ERs which contained double entries, with the number of votes higher than the number of voters.

Also explained were the many instances of fraud in Lanao del Sur province where “vote manipulation” is usually done by separating the canvass of votes for the local and the senatorial bets.

The Comelec placed the province of Shariff Kabunsuan in ARMM under its control, and will be sending a new head of the Provincial Board of Canvassers for the province.

Lawyer Jocelyn de Mesa, Comelec Election Supervisor for Parañaque will be flying to the province of Shariff Kabunsuan today, to head the canvassing of the CoC, as the former chairman of the PBOC in the province refused to canvass the CoC due to security reasons.

“Because of security considerations, no one wants to accept the position of head of PBOC so we have this lady who is gutsy enough to accept responsibility. It takes a woman to accept the responsibility. There was a previous lawyer but because of security consideration he backed out”, Commissioner Rene Sarmiento, in charge for the ARMM said, addding that De Mesa will be assisted by Gregorio Lardizabal and Emmanuel Ignacio, Comelec regional directors from Luzon, in the canvassing.

Sarmiento added that these officers have been instructed to finish the canvassing that has already piled up from different municipalities.

“The instruction is to complete the canvassing as soon as possible and to ensure that this will go smoothly, we declare Shariff Kabunsuan under Comelec control. Definitely Marines will be deployed”, he added.

Chairman Benjamin Abalos stressed that there is no need for the transfer of the canvassing in the province. “Let us prove the sovereignty of this government against lawlessness. What are our police, what is our military doing? We cannot rely on them for protection?”

Sarmiento will also be leaving today for Lanao del Sur, and after the special elections will proceed to Maguindanao for the investigation of the Comelec task force that will probe on the alleged election irregularities in Maguindanao. Namfrel and the PPCRV have asked to be part of the task force.

Comelec is set to proclaim senatorial candidates during the weekend. According to Abalos, Comelec will attempt to repeat the feat it did in 2004, where the commission proclaimed the winning candidates in 10 days.

With Kristine Torres

Massive Cheating In Chavit's Country

Massive cheating in Ilocos Sur province is nothing new. Comelec officials, school teachers, district prosecutors and municipal treasurers are helpless to stop electoral fraud. Influential warlord rules!
Vice-Governor Deogracias Victor “DV” Savellano, a candidate of the Lakas-CMD-TU won over its opponent Efren “Rambo” Rafanan of the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino (PMP)-UNO and independent candidate Roque Sison. Savellano garnered 132,656 votes over Rafanan who got 131,264 votes. Gov.-elect Savellano won a margin of 1,392 votes against Rafanan.

Chavit behind manufacture of votes, cheating’

Bishop, priests condemn Ilocos Sur poll fraud

Daily Tribune 05/23/2007

Priests in Ilocos Sur, supported by their bishop, Nueva Segovia Archbishop Ernesto Salgado, yesterday condemned “the dirty conduct” of the 2007 elections in Ilocos Sur, pointing to the massive vote-buying and vote-selling, along with what they called “opponent-buying” for an unopposed candidacy.

In a statement, the group of priests also backed calls demanding a recount and recanvass of votes at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Manila.

Sources from Ilocos Sur told the Tribune yesterday that while the counting and canvassing were ongoing, with gubernatorial candidate Efren Rafanan of the Genuine Opposition way ahead of his rival, Vice Governor Savellano, Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson, along with his heavily armed bodyguards, was busy ordering mayors and even election officers in several towns where the canvassing was still ongoing, not to canvass the votes cast by the Ilocos Sur electorate, and ensure that whatever town Savellano was losing to Rafanan, the towns where canvassing was just starting would simply add the votes of Rafanan to Savellano, while canvassing in other towns and cities were allegedly ordered by Chavit to stop the canvassing — until such time that the election returns (ERs) could be replaced.

In the town of Candon, there was no canvassing at all,” Rafanan told the Tribune yesterday in a telephone interview. He said that whatever was the lead of Rafanan over Savellano, which according to Rafanan, the precinct count even then already showed a Rafanan lead of some close to 10,000 votes, would be offset, through the manufacture of votes in Candon town.

In other areas, such as Cabugao, there were witnesses’ reports of ballot-snatching and switching, he said.

In San Vicente town, where Rafanan was also leading, his watchers were all harassed and made to leave the canvassing area.

“Three mayors who are with me already tipped me off early, saying that Chavit was personally calling all the mayors and ordering them not to make me win, or else,’ Rafanan said, adding that even the election officers were threatened by Chavit and his men.

“They were so scared of Chavit, that they did what he wanted them to do,” he stressed.

Rafanan also pointed out that City Election officer Fidel Fines was placed in the top seat just a day before by the Comelec, “precisely to ensure that he would cheat for Chavit’s candidate (Savellano) by shaving my votes.”

While the canvassing was going on in other towns, Rafanan recounted, Chavit went on the air, telling one and all that the figures he was giving out, which were manufactured figures, were the results of the gubernatorial, congressional and gubernatorial races, even when there was still no canvassing of votes ongoing,

Other sources in Ilocos Sur, whom the Tribune contacted yesterday, confirmed the allegations of Rafanan, but also said that there was as well, cheating done in the senatorial count, again with Chavit ordering everyone to ensure that he gets the highest number of votes in Ilocos Sur.

It was alleged by the sources that even in Ilocos Sur, Singson was being repudiated by his constituents.

The priests and their bishop publicly stated that they observed the following means to thwart the will of the Ilocos Sur voters.

They stated that the Election Returns (ERs) were delivered without any seal. This was confirmed by the the Nassa-Namfrel team.

Page 3 of the ER from precinct 5, Brgy. Ballaigi, Sinait, was substituted.

The number of valid ballots was greater than number of registered voters.

They added the reports of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voters (PPCRV) poll watchers that said they were not given the Citizens’ Accredited Arm copy at the precinct. Instead, they were required to secure these from the municipality.

They also noted the blank and incomplete data on voters and ballots in a number of ERs.

There was also a delay in canvassing in Candon City and in the provincial Canvass, as well as reports of suspension of canvasing in several towns where Rafanan was winning.

In the town of Candon, where Rafanan said he was winning by some 6,000 votes, the certificates of canvass (CoC) were found to have major erasures in the gubernatorial post which were, however, not countersigned.

They also noted that the Narvacan CoC’s total votes were not written in words, as required by law and poll rules.

Rafanan was earlier reported to be leading Savellano, Chavit’s candidate and said in Ilocos to be the “front man” of Chavit in the yearly diversions of the tobacco excise tax during the time Chavit was out of his gubernatorial position, and “then suddenly, Chavit was giving all the orders to the election officers, who all obeyed him.”

In denouncing the massive electoral fraud in Ilocos Sur, the priests protested against the “injustice done to our people by the desecration of their right to choose and elect their leaders.”

They added that they also condemn political dynasties.

The Singsons have cornered the posts in Ilocos Sur, with sons, cousins and other relatives taking all the elective seats.

The priests blessed by their bishop, said in their statement that they support “all moves to demand the recounting/recanvassing of votes at the Comelec Manila at the fastest possible time to ensure truth and justice as well as confidence in our election processes.”

Additionally, they said they commit themselves to the ongoing political education and mobilization of the people under our care, geared toward political transformation.”

Signatures were affixed last May 21 at the Aula de Nuestra Señora de Caridad, at the archbishop’s residence in Vigan City. NCO

Comelec, Arroyo administration both liable for questionable May 14 polls

Ex-generals: Fabricated documents product of ‘Mercury Rising’

DE FACTO MAFIA GOVERNMENT
Bantay Boto special operatives should “physically isolate” known fraud operators before damage is done. I think warning is not enough. Specific action is must during critical times. There’s no rule of law in the Philippines. The Gloria Arroyo government is based on de facto on Mafia structures. It‘s riddled with corruption from grassroots level up to Malacanang Palace. Government contracts and privatization measures are manipulated in favor of cronies and close political allies. Crooks are being protected and promoted to key government post. The criminal justice system is rotten and the collapse of law enforcement. The illegitimate Arroyo government failed to deliver justice to its people and contributes to the widespread human rights violations in the country. Political killings, torture, disappearance, abduction, illegal arrest and intimidation are shades of Mafia gangland perpetuated by rogue cops and mercenary soldiers. The latest incident, a schoolhouse in Taysan, Batangas was deliberately razed by protector of the people (cops) leaving two teachers on election duty burned alive.
.



Ex-generals: Fabricated documents product of ‘Mercury Rising’

GMA’s Garcis padding TU votes by 1M in 5 Mindanao provinces

By Sherwin C. Olaes

Daily Tribune 05/21/2007

An election watchdog composed of retired military and police officers and generals yesterday warned the public that the Arroyo administration is set to come up with pre-computed and pre-accomplished statements of votes (SoVs) and certificates of canvas (CoCs) at the municipal and provincial levels, where alleged dagdag-bawas (vote padding-vote shaving) enabled President Arroyo’s Team Unity (TU) senatorial candidates to post what the group described as a “dubious” one-million lead against their rivals from the Genuine Opposition (GO) in five provinces in the country’s southern Mindanao region.

In a statement released to the Tribune, retired Navy Commodore Ismael Aparri, a convenor of Bantay Boto, charged that the release of “accomplishments” by the Chief Executive’s operators was a fulfillment of “Operation Plan (Oplan) Mercury Rising,” the orchestrated cheating operations of Malacañang that may ensure victory for administration senatorial and congressional candidates against the GO camp of detained President Joseph Estrada.

Aparri identified the five Mindanao provinces as Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Sharif Kabunsuan, Sultan Kudarat and Surigao del Sur, where, according to him, the results of the May 14 mid-term vote are being”doctored” by the President’s “poll fraud operators.”?

“From the fraudulent pattern, we can see immediately the devilish intent of Mrs. Arroyo’s fraud operators. The 2007 registered voters from the Oplan Mercury Rising provinces were from eight to 20 percent higher than 2004; the voter turnout was much more than the 2004 voting turnout; the votes garnered by the administration candidates in the provinces were consistently 50 to 100 percent higher than those from the Genuine Opposition,” the Bantay Boto convenor said.

Aparri stressed in these five provinces alone, the lead of the TU senatorial bets over their GO rivals is almost one million.

“Bantay Boto is appealing to the fraud operators not to push through with this plan. Do not do it. It is not worth it. We’re also serving this notice to the fraud operators and their accomplices. We know you. Our eyes and ears are tuned to you. Perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly,” he said.

Aparri said the pre-computed and pre-accomplished SoVs and CoC, a product of the Malacanang-initiated cheating operations, will show an unusual increase in the 2007 registered voters compared to 2004, from eight percent to 20 percent in these areas.

“Just compare these percentages to the population average growth of 2.5 percent annually,” he added.

The retired commodore also charged the declaration of “failure of elections”?in some areas in Mindanao was plotted by the administration so the holding of special elections there can be justified.

Aparri said the original Oplan Mercury Rising was intended by Malacanang to offset the opposition leads that are expected from Metro Manila and the country’s main island of Luzon.

“The idea is to push the senatorial bids of (TU senatorial bets) Rep. (Juan Miguel) Zubiri, (former presidential chief of staff Michael) Defensor and (Rep. Prospero) Pichay, among others, into the winning circle. Even if they will land in the last slots, the magic number to add is at least two million votes in Oplan Mercury Rising provinces, roughly an average of 100,000-vote lead in about 20 provinces,”? he added.

According to Aparri, reports indicate that these leads are already pre-computed and being written in the SoVs and CoC.

“These (figures) will be released on a staggered sequence next week from the Oplan Mercury Rising provinces to the Comelec (Commission on Elections) for senatorial canvassing. Note that the same pattern in the 2004 elections where (the leads of opposition standard-bearer and movie icon) Fernando Poe Jr. in Luzon and Metro Manila were wiped out when the votes from Bohol, Cebu and Iloilo were canvassed, and the final GMA (Mrs. Arroyo’s initials) lead of one million was completed when the votes from special elections and the ARMM (Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) provinces were finally submitted, as the last provinces to be canvassed,” Aparri said.

A ranking Comelec official who gained notoriety during the alleged massive cheating in the 2004 presidential elections has been identified as one of the “Garci boys” apparently involved in the Mindanao fraud in the May 14-mid-term vote.

Rey Sumalipao, Comelec regional election supervisor for ARMM, has been pinpointed by an election officer in Lanao del Sur as the one who allegedly ordered the indefinite suspension of canvassing of election returns (ERs) in the senatorial race.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel Jr. also yesterday called for the relief of Sumalipao from his post.

“Undue delays” in the canvassing of votes is the latest alleged tack being employed in the cheating operations as opposition leaders also yesterday noted reports of almost “simultaneous” incidents where election officials leave their posts while others could not explain the suspension of canvassing.

Sen. Panfilo Lacson, a reelectionist running under the GO banner, cited reports on the “unnecessary delays,” this time in Quezon City (Metro Manila), San Jose del Monte in Bulacan province, four towns in Sultan Kudarat province, including Isulan town.

Lacson said similar unnecessary delays have also been reported in Albay province and its capital Legazpi City in the Bicol Region.

He noted that in the four towns in Sultan Kudarat, election officers had abandoned their posts.

“It is possible that plans are afoot and the election officers are playing along,” Lacson said.

He urged poll watchdogs to make a test case of alleged cheating in Maguindanao province, where a teacher had come forward to spill the beans.

The teacher, during an interview on radio last Saturday, claimed that teachers were made to fill in blanks in ballots for TU senatorial candidates and that schoolchildren were made to print thumb marks on the ballots.

“We should see someone jailed for this. If a handwriting expert confirms that only two to three filled in the blanks in the ballots in the area, we’ll have an open-and-shut case,” Lacson said.

He also urged his fellow GO candidates to instruct their staff in keeping close watch on the areas he had mentioned, including some parts of Metro Manila.

Lacson said the GO is monitoring the race to the 10th to 12th slots, where cheating may alter the results.

In a so-called election hot spot, Muntinlupa City (Metro Manila), where incumbent Rep. Ruffy Biazon is being challenged by former television executive and lawyer Ricardo “Dong” Puno in the congressional contest, three members of the board of canvassers had been “hospitalized,” causing the suspension of the counting.

“This is the first time that three canvassers are hospitalized at the same time. What’s next?” Biazon asked.

Pimentel asked Sumalipao to explain on the undue delay in the canvassing of senatorial ERs in Lanao del Sur, an ARMM province.

Sumalipao, at the height of the congressional probe on the “Hello Garci” tapes, was identified by some witnesses as the one mentioned in the wiretapped conversations supposedly receiving instructions from former Comelec Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano, the alleged poll operator for the administration in the 2004 polls.

“Garci” has since been attached to Garcillano’s name.

As revealed by the Lanao del Sur election officer during the television interview, Sumalipao allegedly gave the order to indefinitely suspend the canvassing of the senatorial ERs after the canvassing of the ERs for the congressional and local-government races in various municipalities of the province.

Such order, Pimentel said, is a gross violation of the Omnibus Election Code, which provides that the tabulation of the results of the senatorial, congressional and local elections should be done simultaneously or continuously.

In fact, he added, the law also provides that the results of the senatorial elections should be tallied by the board of canvassers ahead of the results of the congressional and local polls.

Pimentel said the delayed canvassing of the senatorial ERs should not be tolerated under any circumstance because this is part of the modus operandi to manipulate the results of the senatorial contest to favor candidates of the administration.

According to him, the GO legal team will ask the Comelec, as national board of canvassers, not to tabulate the CoC from Maguindanao, supposedly showing a 12-0 score in the senatorial contest in favor of the TU candidates, unless allegations of large-scale electoral fraud are resolved.

Pimentel said the reported sweep is incredible and doubtful in view of allegations that ERs were falsified and votes for TU candidates were padded while votes for GO candidates were shaved.

He also noted that while the media reported poor turnout of voters in several towns in Maguindanao, the provincial election results reflected that 95 percent of voters had cast their ballots.

Pimentel cited reports that no actual voting took place in many parts of Maguindanao, including those controlled by the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

Saying practically all the rules of fair play and transparency were violated in the Maguindanao polls, he denounced the refusal of local election officials to allow volunteer watchers of the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections to witness the canvassing of votes at the municipal and provincial levels and to obtain copies of ERs, as mandated by law.

The answer to whether the TU bets swept their GO rivals in Maguindanao may not be known now as the National Citizens Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) also yesterday announced that they will no no longer include in their national quick count the results from that province.

According to Namfrel Chairman Eduardo Go, they came up with the decision after election officials in Maguindanao allegedly refused to release copies of ERs to their volunteers.

Go admitted that their decision could affect the ranking of the senatorial candidates.

Maguindanao has 289,000 registered voters.

Namfrel saidt suspicions further grows on the so-called TU sweep with the revelation of another watchdog, Legal Network for Truthful Elections (Lente), that no actual voting occurred in Maguindanao.

Lawyer Carlos Medina, Lente co-convenor, also yesterday told reporters at the Namfrel headquarters in Greenhills, San Juan (Metro Manila) that on May 14, the teachers used the signatures and thumb marks of students for the ballots.

“The Comelec…on its own should do an investigation to find out if this is true or not…they should investigate to find out what really happened…” Medina said as he also appealed to the Comelec to set aside “technical requirements” such as affidavits from witnesses because the teachers would afraid to prepare such documents.

Malacañang also yesterday dismissed the allegations of the teacher and, at the same time, vented its ire on Estrada.

“It is very easy for them (GO) to say there had been cheating, and that they have witnesses but our question is this, do they really have concrete evidence against us?”? presidential legal adviser Sergio Apostol said.

Apostol added Abalos and his five commissioners should not be swayed by tprotests being aired by the Estrada camp and focus on the counting of the votes, especially the contested Maguindanao ballots that delivered a 12-0 victory for Mrs. Arroyo’s bets.

He said the Comelec must simply junk the protests of the opposition because they are merely sourgraping after being junked by the Maguindanao electorate. Angie M. Rosales and Jojo Arazas

Wrongs seen by the People’s International Observer Mission

Manila Times Sunday, May 20, 2007


Wrongs seen by the People’s
International Observer Mission


THE delegates of the People’s International Observers’ Mission (People’s IOM), representing 12 countries from throughout the world, were dispatched from May 14 to 16, 2007, in order to observe, document and report on the midterm national elections from the ground in seven key voting regions throughout the Philippines.

Participants in the People’s IOM traveled from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Norway, Scotland, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the US in response to an international appeal from numerous church leaders, professionals, academics and grassroots organizations in the Philippines to observe the democratic process in the face of alleged electoral fraud, militarization and violence rampant during the 2004 national elections.

The diverse array of 27 observers who participated in the People’s IOM, including trade unionists, students, social activists, clergy, academics, artists, and lawyers from around the world have contributed an essential piece to the popular effort to support the realization of democracy in the Philippines.

Contrary to an internationally publicized statement from President Arroyo that Filipino voters “cast their ballot, free of coercion and according to their own will,” representatives of the People’s IOM witnessed a strikingly different reality including: notable voter disfranchisement, deadly election related violence, direct intimidation of voters by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), suspicious absence of Comelec officials at numerous voting locations and incidents of overt coercion by multiple campaigners.

Detailed information on the election process collected by People’s IOM representatives working throughout the country pointed to an intimate relationship between systemic violations of the electoral process in 2007, the ongoing socioeconomic crisis in the Philippines rooted in neo-liberal economic policies and the terror of systemic extrajudicial killings which have claimed the lives of over 850 people since 2001.

The People’s IOM representatives collected multiple testimonies gathered from community representatives outlining systematic harassment of voters supporting legitimate political party-lists by the AFP in voting districts throughout the country. Concrete documentation of an organized vilification campaign carried out both overtly and covertly by the AFP against legitimate party-lists was also documented by the People’s IOM.

Throughout the Philippines overt political coercion through electoral corruption, open “vote buying,” rampant breaches of electoral regulations and outright terror fashioned a context through which economic and ancestral political dynasties attempted to secure political positions through the midterm elections.

Election-related violence ranging from killings to strafing, grenade-throwing to manhandling has come to the IOM’s attention. Targets of attacks include candidates, supporters, campaigners, organizers, and even innocent civilians. The spiral of violence among the rival candidates and political dynasties continued.

The People’s IOM teams gathered comprehensive information on the Filipino electoral process, including extensive interviews with affected voters, hours of video testimony, hundreds of photographs from the following 10 areas: Tondo, Manila; Makati City; Quezon in Southern Tagalog; Sorsogon and Masbate in Bicol; Nueva Ecija and Pampanga in Central Luzon; Cebu in the Visayas; Islamic City of Marawi in Lanao del Sur and Compostela Valley in Mindanao.

Hereunder are the collation of findings and initial recommendations of the People’s IOM:

Collation of Findings of the People’s IOM

1. Strong military presence, intimidation and harassment of voters: the military played an extraordinarily active role in the elections, violating its proper role in a democratic society. Extrajudicial killings, campaigning for and against particular candidates, disenfranchising voters of opposition candidates, intimidation and harassment, deployment in opposition-influenced communities are many of the ways that the military used and overstepped its constitutional duty.

a. The residents expressed their deep fear over the military presence in their communities. Some of them sought the intervention of church leaders, while others formed alliances against the unprecedented deployment of their soldiers in their communities.

b. While the AFP announced that they will pull out of the urban poor communities before the elections, residents reported that some of the soldiers stayed in the communities dressed as civilians. These soldiers were later seen roaming the polling areas in civilian clothes, obviously not deputized by the Comelec.

c. On election day and during the canvassing, police and military with heavy artillery were in polling places and canvassing centers instilling fear and intimidation among the voters, poll-watchers and the canvassers. Likewise, the presence of military men in the Comelec offices, in full battle gear, resulted in an atmosphere of fear.

d. The military conducted house-to-house visits in the guise of doing census, interrogated citizens on what organizations existed in the communities and who were the leaders and organizers of specific party-list and people’s organizations in the community.

e. The members of the mission were also informed by the community residents that the military showed films portraying certain party-list and people’s organization as fronts of the CPP and NPA and the people were told not to vote for these party-list groups.

f. Military checkpoints were encountered by the IOM team and one team was stopped twice, questioned, their names listed down and their photographs taken by the soldiers against their will.

2. Perpetuation of political dynasties: Political dynasties in the Philippines are well-entrenched and very powerful; political power is increasingly concentrated among members of a few families and clans that form the elite in Philippine society.

a. The use of private armed groups by political clans to terrorize voters and contenders in local politics made the conduct of free and honest elections difficult, if not impossible.

b. Rivalries between clans escalate into a vicious cycle of violence and reprisals.

c. Barangay officials are mobilized to intimidate and coerce voters in the polling centers. These barangay officials also intimidate poll watchers to prevent them from exercising their duties specifically those opposed to the dominant political party in the area.

d. Members of the same family are fielded to multiple elective positions simultaneously.

3. Labeling, use of fraud, harassment, and force against legitimate party-lists and opposition candidates:

a. The killings of the leaders and members of these party-list groups along with hundreds of other critics of the present administration are clear evidence of criminal attempts by state forces to drive these groups from the electoral arena and deprive the people of their democratic right to elect their own representatives.

b. The military warned the people through barangay assemblies, film showings, and house-to-house visits, against voting for specific party-list groups such as Bayan Muna, Gabriela and Anakpawis and told the residents that these are fronts of the CPP-NPA. They strongly endorsed other “party-list” organizations.

c. Voters who are members of people’s organizations and supporters of opposition candidates were disfranchised, raising doubts that it is a deliberate action to ensure defeat for these specific candidates.

d. Many cases of these “deactivated voters” also come from areas where AFP troops operated and conducted campaigns against legitimate party-list groups.

e. Attempts were made to unseat incumbent local officials critical of the government through suspension and filing of charges that are suspect in timing and basis.

4. General chaos, irregularities and vulnerabilities to manipulation of election results:

a. Late delivery and lack of election paraphernalia causing delay and discouraging early voters from casting their votes.

b. Names of voters were transferred or distributed to other voting precincts causing confusion. Many did not find the precinct where they were transferred.

c. High number of “deactivated” voters which surprised many who were neither informed nor given clear explanations why they were “deactivated” by Comelec.

d. Discrepancies in Comelec data: names of deceased still on the list; names not in voters’ list; names transferred from one precinct to another.

e. The assignments of election officers were changed at the last minute resulting in further chaos and raising doubts as to their independence.

f. Many voters cast ballots several times. A voter was encouraged by the BEI to vote under another name just to speed up the process. Minors voted, instigated by supporters of candidates. Others admitted to being flying voters. In some areas, the so-called indelible ink can be easily washed off with soap and water or alcohol, while others had more than one finger marked with ink.