CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The provincial chief of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) here said that the verdict on the election protest against Gov. Eddie Panlilio can be promulgated even on the last day of his term on June 30.
This, even as Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said over the weekend his Second Division has not yet decided on the case filed against Lilia Pineda, who lost to Panlilion in the 2007 race but is again running for the post as candidate of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
The recount of votes for governor in this province was finished last September, after Ferrer adopted measures to rush the process.
Provincial Comelec supervisor Temmie Lambino said that despite apparent delays, he expected the Second Division to decide on the case.
“The Second Division can come out with its decision even on the last day of the term of Gov. Panlilio on June 30,” he said.
Lambino said, however, that if the Second Division fails to decide on the case after that, then the protest would be “moot and academic.”
He also defended the Second Division from allegations that it has been biased in favor of Pineda, known as a close friend of Pres. Arroyo.
He downplayed claims of some sectors that Pineda has exerted her influence to prevent the Second Division from coming out with its verdict on her own electoral complaint as this could purportedly limit her to only one more term if she wins in the coming elections. The Local Government Code limits local officials to only three successive terms.
Lambino said, however that even if the Second Division’s verdict would declare Pineda as the real winner in the 2007 elections, the term from 2007 to 2010 would not be counted as her term as she never served “full term.” “If she wins in the coming elections, she would still be entitled to two more reelection bids,” he said.
The provincial polls supervisor also said that the Second Division is loaded with many other electoral cases needing its decision. “There’s the automated elections that have to be looked into also,” he said.
“The Second Division is handling the more controversial cases and it has proven itself beyond pressure,” he added.
Panlilio, a former parish priest who ran as independent in the 2007 elections, won over Pineda by 1,147 votes. Pineda was then candidate of the administration Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Panlilio has sought dispensation from his priestly ministry from the Archdiocese of San Fernando in his bid for reelection, this time as official candidate of the Liberal Party.
This, even as Comelec Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer said over the weekend his Second Division has not yet decided on the case filed against Lilia Pineda, who lost to Panlilion in the 2007 race but is again running for the post as candidate of the administration Lakas-Kampi-CMD.
The recount of votes for governor in this province was finished last September, after Ferrer adopted measures to rush the process.
Provincial Comelec supervisor Temmie Lambino said that despite apparent delays, he expected the Second Division to decide on the case.
“The Second Division can come out with its decision even on the last day of the term of Gov. Panlilio on June 30,” he said.
Lambino said, however, that if the Second Division fails to decide on the case after that, then the protest would be “moot and academic.”
He also defended the Second Division from allegations that it has been biased in favor of Pineda, known as a close friend of Pres. Arroyo.
He downplayed claims of some sectors that Pineda has exerted her influence to prevent the Second Division from coming out with its verdict on her own electoral complaint as this could purportedly limit her to only one more term if she wins in the coming elections. The Local Government Code limits local officials to only three successive terms.
Lambino said, however that even if the Second Division’s verdict would declare Pineda as the real winner in the 2007 elections, the term from 2007 to 2010 would not be counted as her term as she never served “full term.” “If she wins in the coming elections, she would still be entitled to two more reelection bids,” he said.
The provincial polls supervisor also said that the Second Division is loaded with many other electoral cases needing its decision. “There’s the automated elections that have to be looked into also,” he said.
“The Second Division is handling the more controversial cases and it has proven itself beyond pressure,” he added.
Panlilio, a former parish priest who ran as independent in the 2007 elections, won over Pineda by 1,147 votes. Pineda was then candidate of the administration Kabalikat ng Mamamayang Pilipino (Kampi).
Panlilio has sought dispensation from his priestly ministry from the Archdiocese of San Fernando in his bid for reelection, this time as official candidate of the Liberal Party.
