INQUIRER.net Eleksyon 2007

Protestants join protests vs Pampanga recount

Philippine Daily Inquirer

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Philippines—While the local Catholic Church has yet to speak on the political fight that one of its own is facing, leaders of Christian churches in Pampanga have stood behind Governor Eddie Panlilio and protested the ongoing recount of votes cast in the 2007 gubernatorial race.

Leaders of the Pampanga Christian Ministers’ Council (PCMC) said they believed that Panlilio, a Catholic priest, won in the 2007 elections so there was no need for the Commission on Elections to recount the votes.

“The institution (Comelec) which counted the votes and proclaimed Among Ed as governor should stand by the integrity of [its] decision,” said Gil del Rosario, PCMC director.

Though some priests have joined rallies against the recount, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto has yet to issue an official statement to represent the position of the Catholic Church on the process.

Joy Pongco, PCMC chair, said she expects other religious leaders in the province to make their positions known.

“If all religious leaders believe in the integrity of the 2007 elections, we are inviting them to take a stand against the recount,” she said.

A lawyer for former Board Member Lilia Pineda, Panlilio’s rival, said his client was leading in the recount that was ordered by the Supreme Court. Panlilio’s lawyer, however, disputed this.

Panlilio won over Pineda by 1,147 votes in 2007, but Pineda contested the result, saying ballots written with her moniker “Nanay Baby” were not counted.

Pongco said while pastors from the PCMC have vowed not to stop praying until another “miracle” happens, referring to what they considered a miraculous feat when Panlilio won over veteran politicians in the province in 2007.

However, Pongco said the group will respect the result of the recount, even if Pineda turns out to be the winner, because “it is the will of God.”

Del Rosario said the PCMC’s support was not for Panlilio alone. “We’re not doing this as a campaign for Among Ed when he runs [for president or any position] in 2010. We’re doing this [to preserve] democracy in Pampanga,” he said.

Pampanga Rep. Juan Miguel Arroyo said the recount has now become a legal issue. “It’s no longer a political issue. The rules of the Comelec will govern the procedure,” Arroyo said on Monday. Charlene Cayabyab with a report from Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon

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