Thursday, May 24, 2007 (Philippines)

Veronico Petalcorin, Comelec 7 asst. regional director and head of the special board of canvassers for Bogo, Cebu, had to be relieved yesterday when he collapsed during a phone call from a police official. Petalcorin (above, being taken out of the canvassing area for a trip to the hospital) talked tough the other day when the special board started its duties, promising to speed up the canvass. His colleague in the board, Eddie Aba, took over from Petalcorin.(Sun.star photo/Amper Campaña) ONLY 15 of the 196 election returns (ER) from the town of Bogo have yet to be added to the official count by the Special Board of Canvassers, who worked for 22 hours straight starting Tuesday night. Three ERs were declared missing. If questions about the ERs are resolved and the three others are accounted for today, voters may finally know whether Bogo Mayor Celestino Martinez III or former Provincial Board member Benhur Salimbangon won the fourth district’s congressional seat. Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage [full story]