CEBU, Philippines - Cebu fourth district Rep. Benhur Salimbangon, who expressed interest to seek a reelection in next year’s elections, said the poll automation will finally prevent election manipulation and cheating like what happened in his district in the 2007 elections.
Salimbangon, who was proclaimed as winner against former Bogo Mayor Celestino “Tining” Martinez III only three months after June 30, 2007, said that through the automated polls, election returns will be counted by the computer and not by a “controlled board of canvassers.”
“The winner will be proclaimed in just a matter of one day. Unlike in my case, it took me three months to be proclaimed,” Salimbangon said.
He also encouraged the people to be more vigilant and the cheaters should not be given a chance to cheat again.
Bogo Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez admitted that his son, Tining will run again as congressman in the fourth district where his town belongs.
On the other hand, Senator Manuel Villar, who has also openly announced his intention to seek the presidency in 2010, expressed worry about the poll automation considering that the country will be using a new technology for a very important event, which is the election.
“Hindi lang ako worried, akoy takot. I have fear na dadayain ka at hindi lang fear of failure of election. Dahil hindi ako sigurado diyan,” Villar said in a recent press conference at Holiday Plaza Hotel in Cebu City.
But the Nacionalista Party president is however hopeful that the Commission on Elections will handle the matter carefully especially as the poll automation is considered as an “experiment.”
Furthermore, Villar said that actor/singer/host Willie Revillame has not expressed yet his intention to run as his running mate.
The famous host, according to the senator, is a good friend of him and he would be glad should Revillame decide to be his vice president.
“Sa ngayon wala pa. Siguro kung mangyayari yan eh di ReVillarme na ‘yong tandem namin,” the senator said in jest.—Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon/WAB (FREEMAN NEWS)