INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Comelec issues order ousting Panlilio

Philippine Daily Inquirer

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to remove Pampanga Gov. Eddie Panlilio from his post, 22 days before his term ends on June 30.

Panlilio’s removal loomed after the Comelec approved on Monday the petition for the issuance of a writ of execution filed by former Board Member Lilia Pineda on May 14, 10 days after the poll body affirmed her 2007 victory in the recount case she filed against Panlilio.

Panlilio, a Catholic priest, lost to Pineda in this year’s gubernatorial election.

Sixto Brillantes and George Irwin Garcia, lawyers of Panlilio and Pineda, respectively, confirmed that an order had been issued but they still have to receive its copy.

In a phone interview, Panlilio said the Supreme Court has not acted on his motion to issue a restraining order on the Comelec.

He said his lawyer will file a prayer of reiteration before the high court to seek due process.

In a letter to Comelec Chair Jose Melo, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) in Pampanga observed that 2,496 ballots written with “Among” or “Ed” were not counted in Panlilio’s favor in the 2007 election. These, the PPCRV said, were more than enough for Panlilio to overcome Pineda’s revised lead of 2,011 votes.

Some 12,000 ballots allegedly written by one or two persons or considered marked ballots were excluded without explanations or reasons.

“Mrs. Pineda and her lawyer are doing and saying different things. She had told [reporters] she was not interested in the case anymore. Attorney Garcia, on the other hand, went ahead by filing a motion to issue a writ of execution. I sense deception here,” Panlilio said.

Garcia said he filed the motion as a matter of procedure.

Reached by phone on Tuesday when she arrived from the United States, Pineda said she had instructed Garcia to stop acting on the case.

“I was surprised [by the issuance of writ] because Congress is still at work in the canvassing. Also I think there’s no problem with me and Among Ed because he’s been helpful to our transition team,” she said.

Renato Brion, DILG director in Central Luzon, said the national office has yet to order him to install Pineda. “If there’s an order, I will implement it,” he said. Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

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