Friday, May 28, 2010

PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION ASSURED

By Francis Allan L. Angelo

THE winners of the 2010 presidential and vice-presidential races will be proclaimed before June 30, according to a top House of Representatives official.

House Majority Floor Leader Arthur D. Defensor Sr. said the national board of canvassers (NBOC) will not allow a delayed or “no proclamation” scenario by end of next month.

Defensor, who was elected Iloilo governor, said they will proclaim the winners before President Gloria Arroyo steps down from office to avoid stirring the country’s political landscape.

“Delaying the proclamation will result in serious political instability which is a fearful situation. We cannot allow such scenario to happen thus the canvassing will have to be completed before June 30,” Defensor said.

Defensor is also a member of the NBOC representing the House contingent.

Defensor said the NBOC is working overtime to complete the canvassing amidst allegations of fraud in the 2010 elections.

“The next president has a lot to prepare for, particularly in the transition period and inauguration. We will try to proclaim the president and vice president by June 15 so they can do their work immediately,” he added.

Meanwhile, Defensor said he gave the automated election a passing grade of 75 because of various glitches which delayed the canvassing of votes.

The governor-elect said he noted some areas of improvement in the automated polls while the NBOC probed service provider Smartmatic-TIM and the Comelec on the glitches that occurred in the elections.

“Whatever our findings on the discrepancies will become the basis for improving the next round of automated elections in the country,” Defensor said.

The NBOC is composed of nine senators and nine congressmen.

The members from the Senate are Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Juan Miguel Zubiri, Rodolfo Biazon, Alan Peter Cayetano, Aquilino Pimentel, Gregorio Honasan, Edgardo Angara, Ramon Revilla Jr., and Joker Arroyo.

The delegation from the House is composed of Prospero Nograles (Davao City), Defensor Sr. (Iloilo), Ronaldo Zamora (San Juan), Neptali Gonzales II (Mandaluyong), Jesus Crispin Remulla (Cavite), Roilo Golez (Parañaque), Didagen Dilangalen (Maguindanao), Michael John Jack Duavit (Rizal), and Matias Defensor (Quezon City).

The alternate members of the board are Senators Francis Pangilinan, Lito Lapid, Jinggoy Estrada, Pia Cayetano, and representatives Simeon Datumanong, Teodoro Locsin, Rufus Rodriguez, Lorenzo Tañada III, Liwayway Chato, Pedro Romualdo, Joseph Emilio Abaya, Eduardo Zialcita, Giorgidi Aggabao, and Darlene Antonino Custodio.

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