Soco supports Sanchez's appeal for privacy

CEBU, Philippines - Defeated vice gubernatorial candidate and businessman Glenn Soco yesterday expressed his support to the appeal of the family of Vice Governor Gregorio Sanchez, Jr. for the latter’s complete bed rest and privacy.

Soco has filed an election protest against Sanchez. It is still pending before the Commission on Elections. He had accused Sanchez’s camp of massive fraud and immense irregularities during the May 10, 2010 elections.

Soco refused to give update of the case against the ailing vice governor saying he has entrusted it to his lawyers.

He told reporters it would be better to give peace to Sanchez now. For him, the “case will progress with its own merit.”

Soco is protesting the result of votes cast for the position of vice governor in all precincts in the entire province. He got 517,687 votes as opposed to Sanchez’s 543,924 votes.

Soco claimed he was able to unearth documentary evidence and testimonials of facts and circumstances to support his protest. The evidence, he added, would prove that the automated elections is not infallible.

In his petition, he is praying for the Comelec to declare him as the winner and duly-elected vice governor of Cebu province and for Comelec to annul the proclamation of Sanchez as the vice governor. He also asked the Comelec to direct Sanchez to immediately vacate the position, to cease and desist from discharging the duties and functions of the office and from collecting the compensation and other emoluments, and to peaceably turn over the position.

Sanchez is on vacation leave upon the decision of his family. He has been undergoing treatment since January and was already absent for 12 consecutive sessions of the Provincial Board.

The vacation leave covers the period of March 1 to April 30, 2011, the same period earlier approved by the Office of the Governor for Sanchez to travel abroad.

It has been two weeks since the daughters of Sanchez faced the media for the first time to clarify issues surrounding their father’s health.

Grecilda “Gigi” Sanchez-Zaballero and Gerlaida “Gerlie” Sanchez-Spiller, both engineers by profession, apologized for not being able to come out with a family statement right away because they were more focused on getting the best medical treatment available for their father.

Zaballero said her father had water in the lungs and has been suffering from pneumonia, which reportedly took away his voice. The vice governor’s physician reportedly assured them that Sanchez’ ailments are treatable. Zaballero assured they will keep the public informed, as soon as the physician gives his findings, but until now there is none so far. — (FREEMAN)