Panlilio ruling ‘making the rounds’

BY GERARD NAVAL




Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/01082010/news7.html


THE Commission on Elections yesterday failed to release its long-awaited decision on the review of the 2007 Pampanga gubernatorial race remains elusive.

Commissioner Nicodemo Ferrer, Second Division chairman, said he finished on Friday writing the resolution on the petition of Lilia Pineda against the victory of Pampanga Gov. Eduardo Panlilio in the 2007 polls.

However, the resolution is "still making the rounds," he said adding he was giving Commissioners Lucenito Tagle and Elias Yusoph sufficient time to read it.

Ferrer was earlier quoted as saying the resolution on the Pampanga recount might be released on January 7.

He said the decision is about 3,000 pages.

"It’s a close fight," Ferrer said adding the decision does not imply that the loser cheated in the previous elections.

"Walang nandaya. Yung (provincial) board of canvassers may sariling appreciation. We go over their appreciations. It turned out we don’t agree with their appreciations. Walang nandaya. It’s just a matter of appreciation (of votes)," Ferrer explained.

Ferrer declined to say when the resolution would finally be promulgated, saying giving a timeframe would give undue pressure to his colleagues in the division.

Ferrer also belied speculations that the resolution is being delayed deliberately due to the public uproar created by the recent decisions of the division ousting governors Joselito Mendoza (Bulacan) and Grace Padaca (Isabela).

Last December, the Comelec Second Division unseated in a span of two weeks Mendoza and Padaca in favor of administration allies Roberto Pagdanganan and Benjamin Dy.

"Mahirap mag-revision ng ilang thousands of ballots… Mahirap din mag-set ng deadline because itong mga kasama ko are entitled to go over it at their own pace," Ferrer said.


Original Story: http://www.malaya.com.ph/01082010/news7.html