Alan Cayetano Vs (COMELEC, Mike Arroyo, and Abalos)
The long running saga of Cayetano versus the collective forces of Mike Arroyo and Benjamin Abalos seems to have no end. In what seemed to be good news when we heard that Joselito Cayetano (the nuisance candidate) was disqualified, has turned out to be part of a greater plan to take away votes for Alan Cayetano.
In the end, “Joselito Cayetano” has ended up in some of the ballots after all, and the always reliable COMELEC has chosen to proclaim all Cayetano votes as stray votes.
The Plot in 10 Simple Steps
1. Introduce Joselito Cayetano as a candidate
2. keep him in the race
3. resist all attempts of declaring “Joselito” a nuisance candidate
4. If disqualified, file for a motion of reconsideration
5. Don’t make a final decision on the motion until a few days before the elections
6. Have ‘Joselito Cayetano’ file an appeal to the Supreme Court
7. Count all Cayetano Votes as stray votes
8. Cayetano will lose votes
9. Let’s throw a party for a job well done.
10. Bonus: Plan C
Plan C: Looks like this plan was also in effect. File a disqualification case against Alan Peter Cayetano so that even if the case is junked, we can still float the notion that he was disqualified, thus he will lose more votes
The Idiot
This was a plan that was obvious to the public from the very beginning, but in Philippine politics, being an idiot is always an excuse so that one cannot be held liable for corrupt practices. The COMELEC has taken so long in junking the nuisance candidate Joselito, that his name has remained in many of the ballots used in the election. And with the possible appeal by ‘Joselito’ to the Supreme Court, the COMELEC has pronounced that all ‘Cayetano’ votes are considered stray.
Who in their right mind announces such an important decision as considering all votes of “Cayetano” as stray votes in the last minute before an election? The idiotic logic and poor management of Chairman Abalos is obviously a part of a grand scheme to disenfranchise the people who vote for Alan Peter Cayetano.
Section 211?
With regards to the ballots themselves, I’ve looked at a specific section in the Omnibus Election Code and it seems as though there is no mention as to what to do when there are two candidates with the same surname and both non-incumbents… but the following paragraph sounds hopeful, until you read the entire section…
Sec. 211. Rules for the appreciation of ballots. - In the reading and appreciation of ballots, every ballot shall be presumed to be valid unless there is clear and good reason to justify its rejection. The board of election inspectors shall observe the following rules, bearing in mind that the object of the election is to obtain the expression of the voter’s will:
Section 211 of the Omnibus Election Code (Word document)
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Closing Thoughts
Frankly, in any normal circumstance, Joselito Cayetano would’ve been declared a nuisance candidate and then disqualified altogether within weeks of his candidacy. But this isn’t the case, because we have a COMELEC chairman with no decency and knowledge of what truth, honesty, and justice is. Abalos is a disgrace to the position that he holds, and he is a disgrace to the entire Philippines.
One cannot but help judge him by his actions because of the inadequate management that he has shown all throughout his tenure.
A Cayetano vote should be counted for Alan Cayetano, but because of the delay in the disqualification of Joselito Cayetano, and because the COMELEC has chosen a dishonest course of action, it looks like more voters will be disenfranchised. But in the end, as we look closely at the results that are coming in, Alan Cayetano is safe and will be our newest Senator.
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Cayetano is a bum, he deserves what he is getting because he doesn’t have proof of anything that Mike Arroyo did, and he has questionable integrity. I hope he loses.
Here! Here! I’m happy that Cayetano is losing right now.
Damn, I meant hear hear! Haha. MUST. GET. SLEEP.
Benj, I think we all need some sleep… thanks for dropping by..
I guess, there are quite a few individuals who are negative on Cayetano.
My point, and I hope this is clear, that no matter what happens, I hope that the will of the people is upheld.
alan cayetano losing? joke?
Kronik,
Alan Cayetano may lose if all Cayetano votes were marked as stray votes, and if there were many voters who just wrote ‘Cayetano’ instead of the full name.
It’s a matter of technicality, but it seems that many watchdogs as well as COMELEC itself received numerous reports of voters only writing down Cayetano.
The exit polls took this into account, and this may be why the recent Pulse Asia exit polls has Alan Cayetano at number 13, you can see the Pulse Asia exit polls on the comment section of this post.
Obviously, some people still don’t get it. I don’t think Cayetano would got that extra mile just to get media mileage. I’m very sure he has that goods on the Pidals. There could be legal issues about the evidences in his possession. Maybe the best way is in an impeachment court where hands are not bound by legal restrictions.
Schumey, so what??? You are still speculating. In this land, we look for proof. If you don’t have it, then the person is still innocent until proven guilty.
You are all jokes if you think Cayetano is going to be a good Senator.