PPCRV Holds Public Forum on the Pampanga Recount

“Your presence will mean a lot. You should be ready to sacrifice.” Thus, said Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rene V. Sarmiento as he encouraged Kapampangans to be more vigilant and diligent in monitoring the recount process.

Speaking at a Public Forum on the Recount held last September 5, 2009 (Saturday) at the University of the Assumption Auditorium, Commissioner Sarmiento explained the on-going recount process that stemmed from an election protest filed on May 25, 2007 by losing gubernatorial candidate Lilia “Baby” Pineda against incumbent Pampanga Governor Eddie Panlilio.

The Public Forum was organized by the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) – Pampanga and the Archdiocese of San Fernando (ASF)-Pampanga in response to a clamor for accurate information and guidance on the raging recount issue which Panlilio supporters tagged as a “moral issue” and a “threat to democracy in Pampanga”.

Citing Section 255 of the Omnibus Election Code of 1985 (OEC) as the legal basis for the recount, Commissioner Sarmiento emphasized that the COMELEC is just an implementor of the law, as mandated by the Philippine Constitution which provides that “election contests will be under the exclusive jurisdiction of the COMELEC.” If we are after electoral reforms, then we should start with legal reforms,” said Commissioner Sarmiento as he pointed out that OEC is 24 years old and needs to be reviewed and amended to make it more relevant to modern times.

The forum was attended by 337 representatives from various civil society organizations, church-based groups, academe, youth groups, commissions and parishes of the ASF. Pampanga Prelate and Forum Convenor, Abp. Paciano B. Aniceto, D.D. graced the event with Auxiliary Bishop and University of the Assumption President Roberto C. Mallari.

Apu Ceto, as Abp. Aniceto is fondly called, noted that the recount “is a secular process and the church will respect it”. He challenged the laity to take the lead in secular matters. He, likewise, challenged Panlilio’s supporters to sustain their involvement and accompany him as he confronts this issue.

For his part, Fr. Francis Dizon, Executive Director of the Social Action Center of Pampanga and PPCRV-Pampanga Chairman, vowed to give the public factual information on the progress of the recount/revision. He revealed PPCRV-Pampanga’s Plan of Action which includes posting of observers to monitor the process and holding of an audience with Commissioner Nicodemo T. Ferrer of the COMELEC 2nd Division every Wednesday for regular updates on the status of the recount. These updates will be posted on the following websites: www.rcasf.com; www.sacop.org.ph ; www.ppcrvnamfrel.blogspot.com; www.hrp-sac.blogspot.com; and www.parokya-santalucia.org.

The physical recount (e.g. sorting and segregation of ballots) is expected to be accomplished in 45 days starting August 12, 2009, after the Supreme Court ordered the COMELEC to proceed with it. Commissioner Sarmiento emphasized, though, that the battle does not end with the revision. After the COMELEC 2nd Division issues a resolution on the case, any of the parties can file a motion for reconsideration – a move which can wind up to the Supreme Court before the decision becomes final and executory.

Bp. Bobet Mallari delivered the closing remarks and reiterated the call to “offer ourselves as sacrificial lambs” and “to inquire and observe - for truth to triumph and the will of God to shine brightly”. Earlier during the open forum, 73-year old Lucila Valdez of Angeles City pledged to help start a fundraising campaign with a 10-centavo contribution to help the beleaguered Governor pay for his revisors.

It may be recalled that Panlilio recently filed a motion for the halting of the recount due to lack of funds to pay for his revisors. On the other hand, petitioner Lilia Pineda paid the P 4M plus deposit in August 2007 and provided trucks to haul the ballot boxes to the COMELEC warehouse in Manila for the recount. Panlilio’s motion was junked by the COMELEC.