Wednesday, February 21, 2007 Ex-poll commissioner: No one wants me in list
CONTROVERSIAL former Commission on Elections (Comelec) commissioner Virgilio Garcillano Tuesday admitted that no party wants to adopt him as a congressional candidate for the first district of Bukidnon province.
In a television interview, he said members of the administration Kampi party ruled out any chance for him to join their slate in the local elections.
"I don't know what their reasons are but I only want to serve the people. If there is no support then I would have to run as an independent congressional candidate even if I have no political machinery to rely on," Garcillano said.
The ex-Comelec commissioner who figured in the now infamous "Hello Garci" electoral scandal said any allegations thrown at him has yet to be filed, let alone proven in court.
While not naming names, Garcillano said, there were several officials who have opposed his inclusion in either the Lakas or Kampi faction.
One of those reported to have strongly opposed Garcillano's inclusion in the local Lakas or Kampi Bukidnon slate is Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri.
Garcillano tried to meet up with Zubiri during the recent turnover of command at the Philippine National Police regional office late last year. It was not known whether a meeting did occur.
Garcillano also reportedly tried to schedule a meeting with senatorial bets Mike Defensor and Bukidnon Third District Representative Juan Miguel Zubiri during a recent stopover in Cagayan de Oro.
The ex-Comelec commissioner is set to go up against the influential Acosta clan, particularly Bukidnon First District Representative Nereus Acosta and his mother, Manolo Fortich town Mayor Soccoro Acosta. (Stephen Capillas)
