Tuesday, April 29, 2008 Son Tining ‘to sit in Congress soon’
FORMER Cebu fourth district congresswoman Clavel Asas-Martinez does not want to go back to politics.
She prefers concentrating on her business rather than seeking again a House of Representatives seat.
“My son will be there soon,” she told reporters instead, referring to their camp’s claims that her son, Celestino “Tining” Martinez III, will win in the recount of the results of the 2007 congressional elections.
Tining lost to Benhur Salimbangon, but the election result is under protest before the House of Representatives Electoral Tribunal (HRET).
He said his chances are “good.”
Clavel and Tining were present in yesterday’s launching of a roll-on, roll-off port from Bogo to Cebu’s neighboring islands. President Gloria Arroyo led the launch.
“I have already served the people.... I want to devote my time in business,” Clavel told reporters.
As early as February, Tining already claimed victory against Salimbangon, saying he led as much as 3,474 in the recount and that it would go as high as 15,000 if stray votes will be included.
Martinez had asked that votes for “Martinez” or “C. Martinez,” which were considered stray, be counted in his favor.
The votes were considered stray because another Martinez, Edelito, ran for congressman during the elections.
Edelito, a habal-habal driver, was declared a nuisance candidate a month after the elections. With the declaration, Martinez wants the stray votes counted in his favor.
While Clavel said that Tining may soon be representing the fourth district in the Lower House, she did not say when it would be.
“Everyday (that moment) comes closer and closer,” he said.
Tining said it is now the HRET’s policy to hasten the resolution of election protests, particularly for congressional seats, so that there is still time, if a new winner is proclaimed, for him to serve his term.
The HRET is still in the process of hearing arguments from the camps of Tining and Salimbangon.
Yesterday, Tining dodged questions on another possible showdown with Salimbangon in 2010, saying, “Let’s take it one step at a time.”
Also, as a former legislator, Clavel offered her two cents on the proposal to shift to a federal form of government.
“It is a good idea, but it is not yet time.... There is still distrust in the national leadership,” she said.
“Let the people work and study…. (Initiatives) should instead be focused on the needs of the people, particularly on the issue of rice because a hungry man is an angry man,” she added. (JGA)
