Comelec Aklan to guard sanctity of votes
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Ballot boxes are loaded into trucks for distribution at a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) warehouse in Manila May 8, 2007. The Philippines goes to the polls on May 14, 2007 to elect the House of Representatives, half the Senate and thousands of local government positions. (Reuters/Romeo Ranoco)

KALIBO, Aklan - The local Commission on Elections (Comelec) vowed to protect the sanctity of the ballot and would not allow any election fraud to mar the May 14 polls.
Francisco Palomar, Kalibo Comelec officer, was reacting to the claim of gubernatorial bet Maria Bettina Garcia (PDP Laban) that there would be massive cheating plan in the province by those involved in the controversial "Hello Garci" tape issue.

"This cloud of doubt on the integrity of elections should be properly investigated by the poll body as alleged by some political candidates," he said over DYRG Kalibo.

According to Garcia, alleged members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) delivered balikbayan boxes containing election paraphernalia to her opponents in Aklan

But, Palomar pointed out, the Comelec has put up the proper mechanisms to deter election fraud for an honest and free election.

Garcia is challenging incumbent reelectionist Carlito Marquez (Lakas-CMD), opposition bets Vicky Ramos and Karen Grace Galvan for the gubenatorial post.

"The Comelec is advocating an honest and peaceful poll and we vehemently deny the alleged massive cheating plan by the retired generals," Palomar stressed.

He urged also the Aklanons, particularly the voters, to guard their ballots and maintain security at the polling precincts and canvassing areas.

In 2005, opposition groups charged President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of election fraud after a Comelec commissioner was involved in the massive cheating in the 2004 presidential elections.
The 115,000-strong Philippine National Police is on full alert as the death toll from poll-related violence rose to 104. They are ordered to secure vital infrastructure, public utilities, and key government installations against possible hostile activities of the local communist movement and domestic threat groups.
All PNP units have been also instructed to extend assistance to representatives of international organizations who are in the country to observe the election process.