Comelec execs all set to reconvene, recanvass Antique poll returns
Top executives of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Western Visayas are all set to reconvene tomorrow as new Provincial Board of Canvassers (PBOC) in the Province of Antique.
As such, recanvass is certain on election returns from eighteen Antique towns and if no problems or impediments are faced, proclamation will eventually be made.
Comelec Regional Director Renato Magbutay expressed optimism that all will be smooth saying no information nor indications call for additional security tomorrow.
The News Today (TNT) sources from Antique say otherwise though with reports disclosing planned objections from camps identified with Lone District Congressman Exequiel Javier.
The solon is a staunch political opponent of Governor Sally Zaldivar-Perez who appears to be the winning candidate over rivals Jovito Plameras and Arturo Pacificador.
Hopes are high that the all-star cast Antique PBOC headed by Regional Director Magbutay as chairman, Assistant Regional Director Tomas Valera as vice chairman and Iloilo Provincial Director Elizabeth Doronilla as member and secretary will finally resolve the controversial Antique situation.
Latest legal maneuvering caused the Perez camp and rival groups to reach Comelec Central Office. Yet in a recent ruling, the Comelec's First Division junked the Petition filed against Perez and her allies running for office in the Provincial Board.
For Perez lead counsel, top Ilonggo lawyer Guillermo "Boy" Alcantara, the Comelec rulings are a vindication particularly since arguments presented for the lady governor were fully upheld by the Commission.
Tomorrow's reconvening will cause another face-off between the governor's legal panel and lawyers representing her rivals. Yet for Director Magbutay, it would be all-systems go in as far as reconvening and recanvassing of election returns are concerned as per order of Comelec Central Office.
While no official explanation was given as to why the old PBOC was changed, observers said that the replacement made with the region's top election officials only meant that the Comelec is out to resolve the Antique situation at all costs.
TNT learned that a Motion for Reconsideration was filed by Pacificador on the recent Comelec ruling dismissing his case against Perez.