Comelec chief back in hospital

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Benjamin Abalos was confined yesterday in a hospital for treatment of a ruptured intestinal vein.

The treatment was reportedly long overdue after Abalos collapsed and was diagnosed to be suffering from the ailment last May 8, two days before national elections were held.

The Abalos family confirmed the confinement but refused to provide details.

Abalos, 69, deferred treatment of his diverticulosis — a condition associated with old age — as it would have reportedly required him to stay in the hospital for several days.

On the morning of the May 10 elections, a weak and pale-looking Abalos appeared at the Comelec office in Intramuros, Manila assisted by his bodyguards.

After the proclamation last Wednesday of Rodolfo Biazon as the last of the 12 winning senators, Abalos said the National Canvassing Board, with the seven Comelec Commissioners as members, is now "rested."

Abalos seemed to have recovered in the last few days but he confirmed after Biazon’s proclamation that he will finally undergo medical treatment.

A check with the Comelec, however, showed that Abalos has not appointed an acting chairman, who should be the most senior of the commissioners, in this case Rufino Javier. — Jose Aravilla