Kalibo Comelec officer appeals for trust
BY VENUS G. VILLANUEVA

KALIBO, Aklan - "I hope this time the people will trust the Comelec."
This appeal and message came from Kalibo's new election officer, Francisco Palomar for Kalibonhons and Aklanons in general in anticipation of the May 14, 2007 synchronized national and local elections.
Palomar conceded that previous events had badly affected the Comelec and deteriorated its integrity but he hopes this wouldn't happen again and vowed he would try his best as he can as steward of Comelec-Kalibo.
Palomar also said that to attain this, all election laws should be implemented in Kalibo in coordination with the Philippine National Police of this capital town of Aklan.
"We have a superb working relationship with the local PNP here," Palomar said.
He has nothing but praises for Kalibo PNP Chief Arnold Ardiente and his men, who, according to him, daily goes around the town to check on illegally-posted campaign materials and scraping or detaching those which are not posted in common poster areas.
Palomar however admitted that the Comelec and the PNP have no control over those which are displayed in residential houses even if these did not adhere to the regulated sizes of posters.
"Some residences display streamers which are supposed to be displayed only during rallies," Palomar revealed.
As to the preparedness of Comelec-Kalibo for the May 14 elections, Palomar said the municipal election office is very much ready.
"Our teachers comprising the Board of Election Inspectors (BEIs) are already prepared and we will further brief them on May 10. The teachers who will serve in the elections will be receiving P3,000 each, and they can get half of this amount before the elections from their respective municipal treasurers. Our election paraphernalia are ready, and we expect a very peaceful and orderly election here," Palomar stressed.
Palomar also reminded everyone to observe the banned activities during the election period, like the gun ban, liquor ban, dances and cockfights.
The town of Kalibo has the highest number of registered voters in Aklan, with 36,162. It has 245 precincts with 16 barangays including Poblacion, Kalibo.
Of the 10 top voting centers in Aklan, 5 polling centers are in Kalibo.