Guv ‘calmly waiting’ for recount decision

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- Governor Eddie Panlilio said Tuesday he would “calmly” await the poll body’s decision on the recount petition filed by former Board Member Lilia Pineda regarding 2007’s elections results.

Pineda filed the petition in June last year.

Panlilio added he would finally know the “surprise” hinted last month by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) Second Division Nicodemo Ferrer regarding the recount result.

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Panlilio on Thursday will lead an evening prayer vigil and mass with civil society group Kasaup to counter the promulgation of the decision that same day.

In a text message to Sun.Star Pampanga, Panlilio’s supporters said the mass and vigil were meant to show the Kapampangan’s stand on the issue of the recount.

The last promulgation was set was on January 7, but Ferrer denied that the Second Division had indicated the date as it was still reviewing the case of Panlilio, following adverse decisions handed down to Bulacan Governor Jonjon Mendoza and Isabela Governor Grace Padaca last year.

Sun.Star Pampanga tried to reach Ferrer to confirm the date of the promulgation but he refused to make any comments as of this posting.

In a phone interview, Panlilio’s counsel Sixto Brillantes confirmed that they have received a notice of promulgation from the division and that the parties are to appear before the poll body at 2:00 p.m. on February 11.

Brillantes said he was expecting a losing decision on the petition even if Panlilio was hopeful for a favorable outcome.

Pineda’s counsel George Irwin Garcia, in a separate phone interview said he was clueless of the outcome of the petition. His camp has likewise begged off and did not comment on the reported promulgation on Thursday.

The reported promulgation will finally close a 30-month case that was upheld by the Supreme Court last July 2009.