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Friday, June 23, 2006
Macias optimistic of elections in '07
By Maricar Aranas
REPRESENTATIVE Emilio Macias II strongly believes the 2007 election will push through amid widespread speculations that it would be sidelined by the Malacañang-sponsored people's initiative to change the Constitution.
Macias issued the reaction after the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said the chance to hold an election next year has dimmed after Congress failed to pass the 2006 national budget.
But Macias brushed aside the perception saying the budget would not be a problem because Congress or the President could appropriate the amount using surplus funds.
Also, he said, of the three options left to change the Charter, only the people's initiative has remained.
Macias said many people object to the initiative because there was no enabling law to carry it through.
On the other hand, he said, "intelligent" minds in government were continuing to find ways to force the Supreme Court to validate the initiative.
Macias said what he feared most was not the holding of the election but the possibility of what he called election "hocus-pocus" like the alleged "Hello Garci" issue.
He said vote manipulation could still happen with modern technology and the talent of the Filipino to tamper with the results.
(June 22, 2006 issue)
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