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Thursday, May 20, 2004
Mongaya: Counting standoff
By Anol Mongaya
It seems like the race between President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and actor Fernando Poe Jr. is tighter than what we are reading in the papers. Despite triumphant talks from avid supporters of both camps, the reality is somehow different.
The slim difference between GMA and FPJ opens the door to possible charges and countercharges of fraud. In Cebu, Kusug leader Edward Ligas said two witnesses have come forward to testify on cases of cheating. Many in Cebu media scoffed at the first witness because he is a radio blocktimer. But the other witness is an election inspector. Both are now in Manila under the care of the Koalisyon ng Nagkakaisang Pilipino legal group.
Charges of fraud could also lead to protests. The presence of a group of pro-FPJ retired generals had raised eyebrows in Cebu. But they reportedly shelved protest plans when people allied with Sen. Panfilo Lacson backed out.
In my view, the GMA-FPJ conflict could drag on. I just hope Congress, which is mandated by the Constitution to do the canvassing, will act fast yet fairly to avert a political crisis.
Though the 1987 Constitution has provided procedures in case no president or vice president is chosen when the term for new officials officially begins, I fear that its implementation would be stormy.
Section 7, Article 7 of the Constitution says that if no president has yet been chosen after June 30, “the Vice President-elect shall act as President until the President-elect shall have qualified … Where no President and Vice-President shall have been chosen or shall have qualified … the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall act as President until a President or a Vice-President shall have been chosen and qualified.”
But what if there’s a standoff during the canvassing in Congress? I am not a lawyer or a constitutionalist and I am not sure if Section 10, Article 7 providing for the holding of a special election will apply.
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The standoff at the Capitol is the local version of what’s shaping up at the national level. The canvassing controversy between the camps of Gwen Garcia and Junie Martinez is now at the hands of the Comelec in Manila. While some fear a power vacuum if no one is proclaimed by June 30, an acting governor can always be named.
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Probably heady with his electoral sweep in Cebu City, Mayor Tomas Osmeña is picking a quarrel with Rep. Eddie Gullas. The congressman earlier said he plans to convert 40 hectares of reclaimed land at the South Reclamation Project (SRP) into an industrial park. This portion of SRP is being claimed by Talisay City. But Osmeña called Talisay City “landgrabber.”
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Will Sen. Sonny Osmeña make it to the Magic 12? Among his obstacles are Sen. Bobby Barbers and former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who are allegedly well versed in Mindanao post-election special operations.
Shortly after the May 10 polls, I received word that some mayors of small Lanao towns are looking for senatorial bets interested in getting additional votes at P250 to P300 per vote. This only shows some people in Mindanao are making millions in post election special operations.
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Party-list groups Bayan Muna and Akbayan are again assured for representatives in Congress. But they might have an ideological rival there. Jun Alcover is reportedly confident of getting enough votes for one or two representatives of his party-list Anad.
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The Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) said there is no high demand for caregivers abroad. This means people behind caregiver schools in Metro Cebu are merely pulling the legs of their students. Several friends have pinned their hopes on getting ahead on being caregivers. I just hope they would be part of the few who will be absorbed by the market.
(e-mail: superbalita@sunstar.com.ph or anol_cebu@hotmail.com; text: 0917-9761193)
(May 20, 2004 issue)
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