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Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Disqualification case filed against Basilan guv
By Bong Garcia
ZAMBOANGA CITY -- A candidate for the lone congressional district in Basilan filed recently a petition to disqualify incumbent Governor Wahab Akbar as candidate for congressman in the forthcoming elections.
Pinoy Votes: Sun.Star Election 2007 Coverage
Lawyer Ben Diamante, counsel for petitioner Jim Hataman-Salliman, said Akbar allegedly violated certain provisions of the Omnibus Election Code and other pertinent law, including Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 7800 promulgated on January 5, 2007.
Salliman is the congressional candidate of the Lakas-Christian and Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) and Kabalikat ng Mamayang Pilipino (Kampi) in the island province of Basilan.
Salliman alleged in his petition that the respondent employed three armed groups purposely to harass him and his allies, like Congressman Gerry Salapuddin.
Salapuddin, House deputy speaker for Mindanao and Basilan's lone representative in Congress, is running for governor. His opponent for the gubernatorial post is one of the three wives of Akbar.
Akbar also fielded his two other wives for the mayoralty posts of Isabela City, the province's capital, and Lamitan City.
The three armed groups were identified in Salliman's petition as follows: Karam group with at least 130 followers armed with high-powered firearms that include two 81-millimeter (MM) mortars, two 91-MM Recoiles Rifles and other high-powered firearms; Rut Ismael group headed by Akbar's nephew with at least 50 armed members; and the so-called Nasser Puyo group with at least 15 followers.
"All these armed groups are now being funded and mobilized by respondent to harass, intimidate, and coerce his political opponents like herein petitioner," Salliman said in his 10-page petition filed with the Comelec.
Salliman cited an incident last April 26 when members of the three armed groups harassed them by firing guns during their political rallies in the towns of Tipo-Tipo and Tuburan.
The petitioner also accused the respondent "of having given material consideration in order to influence, induce and, corrupt the voters such as when respondent gave through his designated ally P200,000 purposely to buy votes."
"Also, respondent offered and, gave grocery coupons to voters in exchange of the latter's votes," he added in his petition with the Comelec.
Salliman claimed to have witnesses who executed affidavits to support his accusations against Akbar.
Akbar brushed aside the petitioner's accusations against him and branded it as mere black propaganda.
Akbar said he will answer Salliman's petition with the Comelec in due time. (Sunnex)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (May 9, 2007 issue)
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