Comelec annuls Padaca’s 2007 poll win in Isabela
MANILA, Philippines – The Commission on Election (Comelec) on Tuesday annulled the proclamation of Isabela Governor Grace Padaca in favor Benjamin Dy, who had protested the results of the 2007 elections.
After a recount of votes, the second division of Comelec ruled that that Dy got 199,435 votes against Padaca’s 198,384, or a lead of 1,051 votes.
Padaca was proclaimed winner in the gubernatorial race in 2007 with a lead of 17,007 votes over Dy.
Benjamin Dy is the second member of the entrenched political dynasty that Padaca had defeated. In 2004, Padaca defeated re-electionist Governor Faustino Dy Jr., ending the 3-decade rule of the clan in Isabela.
Alleging that Padaca’s camp resorted to massive cheating, Benjamin filed a petition for a recount of votes, involving 683 ballot boxes from 12 towns.
‘Confirmed fear’
“Thousands of ballots with the same handwriting in favor of my political opponent in several contested precincts were also presented that deprived my candidacy of the needed votes to win in the 2007 election,” said Dy in a press release distributed to Comelec reporters.
The poll body has directed Padaca “to vacate the Office of the Provincial Governor of Isabela and relinquish the same to Dy.” Dy’s camp will be filing for a motion for the immediate execution of the Comelec order.
Lawyer Maria Donna Guia Lerona-Camitan, counsel of Padaca, said that they will be filing for a motion for reconsideration, and request the Comelec not to remove Padaca from her office immediately.
She told reporters that the Comelec decision did not surprise their camp; it was a “confirmed fear” for them.
Padaca is running for re-election as governor in 2010, against another member of the Dy family.
The second division of the Comelec last week also unseated Bulacan Governor Joselito “Jon-jon” Mendoza in favor Roberto Pagdanganan. Mendoza’s lawyer alleged that a post-proclamation tampering of ballots was conducted to make it appear that Mendoza lost in the recount.
The same division is expected to decide this week the protest filed by former Lilia Pineda against Pampanga Governor Panlilio. (Newsbreak)
"I am determined to continue the fight started by my father and my mother to see
that democracy takes root and is strengthened in our country. This cannot happen
in a government that serves the interest of the powerful few. We must strengthen
the institutions of government so that they truly serve the interests of our people."
gian
8 Dec, 2009
Ang hirap talaga, parang hindi ko mapigilang magmura!!!!! Lord, tulungan mo ako….please.
lenlen
9 Dec, 2009
Help,hindi ko mabuksan ang NoyNoy News Ngayon
“Escudero`s father,Duranos to run under LP” thanks.
Awie
9 Dec, 2009
HI Lenlen, I think its a broken link. Perhaps Leo forgot to put the link
Don’t Panic!
Leo
9 Dec, 2009
@lenlen, the link is now fixed.
Leo
9 Dec, 2009
@gian, ok lang magmura sa harap ng pc.. wag mo lang isulat sa comment!
Engr. Jojo
9 Dec, 2009
More than ever, we need Noynoy now to bring back decency in the Government that has been wantonly corrupted by that petite DUNG by the river Pasig.
Hustisya
9 Dec, 2009
I feel like crying for the people of Isabela. 30 years they tried to emancipate themselves from a tyrannical political dynasty and when they finally won and redeem themselves, their victory was robbed from them, with the stinging force of manipulated justice.
THeir victory gave them hope. In this time of repression, disasters and economic malady, HOPE is man’s most precious possession. And HOPE, they battered and smashed away with this one act of injustice for the people of Isabela.
lenlen
9 Dec, 2009
@Leo,salamat.
Lyndon Buque
9 Dec, 2009
Lets not forget that iilan o marami din dyan sa Comelec, from the City/Municipal Commelec head hangang Top ay for sale.
Lyndon Buque
9 Dec, 2009
Magkano ba kuya?
Lito
9 Dec, 2009
The ouster of Gov. Padaca will certainly generate sympathy votes for her come election. To a certain extent, such ouster would help her get reelected.
lenlen
9 Dec, 2009
Kaya palitan yang mga corrupt,mga mukhang pera,mi sahod na hindi pa kontento,walang moral at dignity,living a lavish life at the cost of the peoples money.Ang mga anak nila ganyan din,dahil kita nila ang prinsipyo ng kanilang mga magulang at itoy ipagpatuloy nila.Ang hirap talaga i fight ang sakit na corruption,as long those who recieved believe its ok and the weak is obliged to give. Paano ito maituwid? mi pag-asa pa kaya ang bayan natin? Sometimes i give-up my hopes,but my sub conscious said try this one,the humble,honest,trustworthy presidential candidate,he will stand against evil,like his noble late parents.
Leo
9 Dec, 2009
@Lito, wag lang sana dayain ulit. automation is the last option for a clean and honest election, otherwise pag nadaya pa rin ewan ko na kung saan pa pupulutin ang pilipinas.