Calling All Filipinos. Lanao Del Sur Needs You!
The stage is set. It’s 2004 all over again. And Lanao Del Sur is once again the center stage in the electoral battle. I hope all watchdogs are geared up because COMELEC and this Administration has just sent in all the ammunition it needs to wreak havoc in the upcoming Special Elections in Lanao Del Sur this Saturday (Tomorrow).
Cheating in Lanao Del Sur will definitely be enough to dislodge Pimentel and Trillanes, both GO candidates, and both in the bottom 12 in the Senate Vote Count. The 13 municipalities in Lanao Del Sur will make up around 96,000 votes. And this is not even counting the municipalities that were able to hold elections on May 14th in Lanao Del Sur, amidst violence, voting irregularities and anomalies, as well as Ray Sumalipao’s refusal to hand over the ERs (Election Returns) to NAMFREL or even witness the canvassing procedure itself. Ray Sumalipao, some election officers and BEIs (Board of Election Officers) have some explaining to do.
Part of the reason that failed elections were announced in 13 out of 39 municipalities of Lanao Del Sur is the fact that some of the elections officers and BEIs didn’t show up during election day. According to COMELEC, seven officers did not report for work on election day.
And one of the irregularities that have been cited is the improbability of an increased voter count of around 100,000 votes. The numbers are there, and it is saying that if cheating is allowed to occur further, which has probably already occured in the municipalities that held elections, then it will mean the displacement of at least two GO candidates, Trillanes and Pimentel. Now, that’s what I call a reason for concern, if that is, you weren’t already concerned.
The municipalities that will hold special elections in Lanao Del Sur are,
Bayang, Lumbatan, Madalum, Binidayan, Puales, Sultan Dumalondong, Lumba-Bayabao, Maui, Kapai, Lumbayanague, Butig, Maruging and Kapatagan.
Three of Lanao Del Norte’s municipalities will also hold special elections on the same day.
To make things even more complicated, earlier today, on the frontpage of The Inquirer, “Soldiers Guard Lanao Polls”. And who better to ‘observe’ this so called ‘guarding’ than Palparan and Lumibao. You will recall that Palparan has been implicated in many extra-judicial killings. According to the Inquirer article,
Speaking at a command conference Thursday afternoon, Sarmiento said “the Armed Forces of the Philippines will play the lead role, supported by the Philippine National Police, to ensure the smooth operations of the elections.”
But policemen will not be entirely sidelined. Goltiao said 64 police trainees with the rank of police officer 1 will serve as BEIs in Sultan Dumalondong town.
In other towns where BEIs will not show up again, Sarmiento said the Commission on Elections would probably tap registered voters in those areas.
This is turning out to be a perfect storm for cheating to take place. With elements of AFP and PNP in place to ‘guard’ the voting as well as canvassing, handpicked police officers serving as BEI (Board of Election Inspectors), two retired general Palparan and Lumibao also doing some ‘observing’, and Ray Sumalipao or ‘Garci Jr.’ assigned to be Comelec regional director, this storm may just do the trick. ARMM has seen the Maguindano Miracle, and now Lanao Del Sur may be the next miracle to take place.
And so, to the watchdogs, concerned citizens, and opposition leaders, better get the plane tickets heading to Lanao Del Sur, because this is going to be an interesting weekend indeed. The playbook is there for everyone to see, and it’s our move to counter the plays being made.
Update 10 am: The Inquirer Editorial today confirms my view, that this is indeed the biggest story facing the nation. This is the make or break, the entire election season has come down to Saturday. Lanao Del Sur is now ground zero.
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Boy, oh boy! This can’t be real. I mean, the Comelec officials in Manila will allow the votes to be stolen for Gloria’s TU so brazenly? Without a squeak? Does that mean that all the media reports and alerts about the cheating extravaganza will be for naught?
Darn! What can the two GO candidates who are winning although at the bottom of the current do?
But you are right, the last 2 or 3 slots will see the eviction of Trillanes and Pimentel and perhaps replaced by Recto, Zubiri and Defensor. (Reminds me of the politician, can’t remember who that was though, who said, “What are we in power for?”)
When that happens, Filipinos should hang Abalos from the highest coconut tree in Matalin, Lanao del Sur!
Good riddance to Pimentel and Trillanes because they dont deserve to win anyway. Beter off with Recto and Zubiri. And Palparan is just an observer how do you possibly think he can even affect the election? Everyone is making Sumalipao out to be the bad guy, let’s look at NAMFREL, why can’t they do a better job?
@A De Brux,
Welcome! This is your first comment!
Right now, vigilance is the key and having some courageous watchdogs as well as citizen groups will also be important. The opposition would do themselves well if they geared up to fight this onslaught in Lanao Del Sur. As for Abalos, he will definitely get his day in court. All others who participated in cheating, will have to face the new law that was enacted after the 2004 elections, and sentences regarding election fraud carry a life term.
@Hindiakopinoy,
I can always count on you to be insensitive and disrespectful of the electoral process. To say good riddance to Trillanes and Pimentel would be alright, but in the light of cheating becomes totally unacceptable. NAMFREL may not be at its best this election, but you can’t blame them when they are being harassed, bullied, and not given their fair share of respect from the COMELEC. They are doing their job in terms of reporting these anomalies.
All we ask is a fair shake regardless of the outcome. Its the people’s voice that must reign not some pint-sized dictator in Manila.
Sumalipao is definitely a bad guy and only corrupt and paid hacks will see him otherwise. NAMFREL is a watchdog and counting is just one of their roles. Its to make sure that the elections are clean while COMELEC’s duty is to make sure that cheats and Gloria’s allies all win.
[…] it’s going to be All eyes on Lanao del Sur, as Alleba Politics points out. Going further, Calling All Filipinos. Lanao Del Sur Needs You! Tingog.com says, while Patsada Karajaw says Dracula’s guarding the blood […]
all I am saying is that Trillanes and Pimentel dont deserve to be in the senate. I think REcto and Zubiri will do a better job. im not saying that they have to cheat. that’s exactly why the AFP and PNP is going to go to Lanao. I don’t think that you should condemn the soldiers and say they are going to cheat. they are there for protection. to watch the voting and counting.
If that’s what you call cheating, then I hate to see deomcracy. In the end, COMELEC is doing their job and NAMFREL is not. we an even see this in the counting where NAMFREL is not lagging in the counting.
My family is from the place and there is indeed an influx of soldiers and police. My sister thinks there may be even more cheating taking place. Personally I wouldn’t feel safer with this corrupt administration handling the AFP. Weren’t they instrumental in the 2004 election?
This is of course the perfect time for GMA to be out of the country. She can deny everything that they will try to do in Lanao and other parts of Mindanao. I am also worried about the people that are handling the elections in Lanao del sur. It’s alarming that lumibao and palparan will be there along with questionable elements of AFP and PNP.
@Hindiakopinoy, I don’t think we are condemning the soldiers per se, but the commanders and generals that are loyal to GMA. With Sumalipao and Bedol there, Nick is saying that this is indeed the perfect storm, and we must be vigilant and realize this reality that is happening before our eyes.
@Schumey,
very well said. NAMFREL is indeed the legislated watch dog, because they are entitled to the 6th copy. They do the counting and they should be right there in the front lines to oversee an honest election process.
@Hindiakopinoy,
the majority of soldiers are very honorable, but we have to hold accountable the higher ranking officials which have abandoned their role of upholding their duty to the Filipino people and the constitution. They are loyal to GMA and her goal of extending her reach to all corners of The Philippines. Going to Lanao to protect the ballot is not cheating, if that’s what they will do. But in this Gloria regime, protecting the ballot is probably not the priority.
@Joey365,
I hope your family proceeds with casting their ballot. If they want things to change, then they must be courageous and vote. I hope you keep us posted with what is happening with your family there in Lanao
@GMA Must GO,
you definitely have brushed up on my writing. I commend you. we should definitely be vigilant because the perfect storm has just been made a reality.