Ishmael Q. Calata, Parañaque City: What is apparently wrong is the timing. I hope that all recounts in the future will be done expeditiously so that it will not invite suspicion.
Noel Banias, Makati City: The Comelec sows intrigue with its belated move to unseat Panlilio. How could a poor former priest have cheated a moneyed and influential lady opponent? This is absurd.
Political payback is evident
Randolph Hallasgo, Misamis Oriental: It’s very clear. They unseated Panlilio to replace him with Pineda, the wife of a gambling lord and an ally of the administration. Remember, Panlilio exposed to the public that he was given money by the administration last year. PGMA hates that, for sure. Besides, the Comelec is an agency that has plenty of dubious activities, especially during election time.
Ruben Viray, Antipolo City: Political payback is evident. The elections is nearing and the shameful campaign against Among Ed was deliberately timed. Ed Panlilio is a critic of the administration and this is probably the price he has to pay. The Comelec’s slow pace of resolving electoral disputes is also obvious. This should be corrected. If I were Fr. Panlilio, I would file a motion for consideration with commission en banc. He can elevate the case to the Supreme Court, if ever. It’ll be another political drama to watch out for.
Elpidio Que, Vigan: As suspected by many, among the top bankrollers of Pres. Arroyo’s candidacy in the last presidential elections was suspected jueteng lord Bong Pineda, husband of Lilia Pineda, who was proclaimed by the Comelec to have won by a little over 2,000 votes. This proves that PGMA knows how to pay her debt of gratitude. It is said that the Pineda couple are her most valued cabalen.
Gerii Calupitan, Muntinlupa City: It’s consuelo de bobo for Pineda. I must say that PGMA deals her cards well: With her kumadre as the new governor and GMA as the representative, they will have a symbiotic relationship, while Among Ed can go back to the pulpit to preach the Word of God just like before. “For what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole province of Pampanga but loses his soul?” Halleluiah, Fr. Ed, welcome back, the prodigal son. Amen!
This reeks of political persecution
Leonard Villa, Batac City: Panlilio, Padaca, Mendoza, Robredo and Mitra are victims of political vendetta courtesy of the disgraced Comelec, which has become a political weapon of the government.
Dennis Montealto, Mandaluyong City: Like many previous cases wherein electoral winners in the recount only got to sit in the few remaining months of their term, that of the Pampanga governor smells of political persecution. We have to hand it to the Comelec for being consistent in its record of disposing of protest cases better late than never.
The ruling is divisive and contemptuous
Jim Veneracion, Naga City: The Comelec’s Pampanga ruling, and throw in those in Bulacan and Isabela, is divisive, ill-timed and stupid. What are we, playing a fool’s game?
Cris Rivera, Rizal: It’s contemptuous and biased; a blatant disrespect of Pampanga’s freedom of choice, making it hard for Comelec to come near the entrance of credibility.
Juan Deveraturda, Zambales: The Comelec’s belated decision to unseat not only Gov. Panlilio of Pampanga but also Gov. Padaca of Isabela is revolting, to say the least. The timing is suspicious and it does not help in addressing and resolving the credibility problem of the Comelec.
Romeo Caubat, Masbate: Unseating Among Ed Panlilio makes my blood boil. Has this Arroyo regime no more shame? Atty. Ely Pamatong must be right after all.
The ruling is above board
Pedro Alagano Sr., Vigan City: The Comelec, an independent constitutional body, observed due process and the rule of law based on the pieces of evidence at hand in coming up with a just and equitable decision. Saying that PGMA or anybody else influenced the ruling is pure absurdity and malicious speculation. But that’s democra(z)y.
Ryan Pahimulin, Rizal: If it’s legal, there is no case against the Comelec.
Leandro Tolentino, Batangas: A Comelec decision written in 11,000 pages is not too late, especially if it promulgates the true sentiment of the province’s electorate.
June Deoferio, Cavite: The Comelec’s decision to unseat Gov. Among Panlillio is the Comelec’s prerogative, because it just finished counting and validating the votes.
Rodolfo Talledo, Angeles City: The process was long and tedious with all the lawyers, watchers and representatives of both camps present to ensure transparency. Don’t suggest malice just because the governor is a nemesis of GMA. The findings were above board and people in this province are not complaining except a negligible few.
The Comelec’s move is suspect
Deo Durante, Camarines Sur: The decision made by the Comelec against Among Ed is a modern-day zarzuela. Any decision, especially if it pertains to election-related cases, should be determined at the soonest possible time to free this office of suspicion. Perhaps, the Comelec has another agenda behind unseating Among Ed. Of course, the ruling does not end there. Among Ed and anybody else still has the right to fight back.
William Gonzaga, Marikina City: The Comelec’s belated decision to unseat Gov. Ed Panlilio certainly affirms its willingness to be part of PGMA’s agenda to perpetuate her regime. Like Gov. Mendoza of Bulacan and Gov. Padaca of Isabela, Gov. Panlilio belongs to Noynoy’s Liberal Party, which remains the strongest challenge to PGMA and her clique. Villar remains under the cloud of suspicion as wallowing in an unholy alliance with PGMA.
Cris Rivera, Rizal: Comelec’s Ferrer must hire ghost busters to drive away the ghosts of the burned Mabalacat election returns that resurfaced at the recounting of the ballots.
Robert Young Jr., San Juan: I am not a bit surprised that Comelec came out with its decision to unseat two important opposition governors, Gov. Panlilio of Pampanga and Gov. Mendoza of vote-rich province of Bulacan, less than three months before the May elections. Incumbents always have the advantage over their opponents in terms of logistical support and others. The Comelec division that came out with this decision should all resign for gross incompetence in taking six years to come out with it. The decision is an insult to the pious people of Pampanga. Did the majority of the Pampangenos prefer to elect to office the wife of an alleged gambling lord rather than a priest who wanted to cleanse the government of corruption?
Poll automation should do the trick
Germi Sison, Cabanatuan City: Though the bottom line is cheating, the purpose now is to embarrass and discredit Among Ed this coming election. Let us pray that with automated polling, no more magic would happen in this coming election.
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: With computerized elections in the offing, such an unpopular decision is like the last deal in a card game where the Comelec is the sure winner.
Norbeto Robles, Taguig: The resolution of the election protest took too long and gave one side an unfair advantage. I hope that with automated counting, this will be a thing of the past.
Jose Fabello Jr., Cagayan de Oro City: What a coincidence indeed: Padaca, Pagdanganan, Panlilio. All with the letter P! With automated elections, this bitter taste in the mouth, hopefully, will be a thing of the past.
It’s an indication of our rotten system
Ricardo Tolentino, Laoag City: The unseating of Among Ed Panlilio is a manifestation of a syndicate inside the Comelec.
Alexander Raquepo, Ilocos Sur: This is an indication of our inefficiency, indecisiveness and “need-to-be-updated” systems. Moreover, we can never erase political patronage in our government system. Because of this, I am sure that the whole world is again laughing at us. Whew!
Edwin Monares, Rizal: So what else is new? This is only to be expected of our rotten electoral system.
Mandy Rillon, Cabanatuan City: It’s no wonder Comelec acted late against Gov. Ed Panlilio. Since I was young, the Comelec has been known to be inefficient and easy to influence. It’s a very inefficient bureaucracy. To think elections don’t happen yearly and walang masyadong ginagawa.
Rey Onate, Palayan City: It’s normal and a trademark of our confused bureaucracy. People are always the losers. Rich politicians and influential people are always the winners.
Felix Ramento, USA: Even as a Constitutional body, the Comelec, as far as I can remember, has always been prone to the whims of those in power.
C.B. Fundales, Bulacan: The number of overturned election results, as in Panlilio’s case, is of greater concern. It’s a question on the integrity of our electoral process.
The hand of the administration is evident
Rose Leobrera, Manila: Lahat ‘yan planado to put PGMA’s kumare in position, so they could be a team. How can the priest cheat eh walang pera ‘yan. I also heard that the rival candidate even had 20 watchers in every polling place, compared to the priest na wala. Sadly, though, the Kapampangans just seem to accept what is being spoonfed to them. See no evil, hear no evil, you know. Sorry to say this, but in Pampanga, lahat ay busy making a living and politics is left to “idle non-working tribes” who mostly work for politicians. Idon’t need to elaborate further, but the mission of the administration is to demolish all those who are not for them.
Eufrocino Linsangan, Isabela: The Comelec will forever deny it,but we can feel that somebody from the Palace had a hand in the ouster of Among Ed Panlilio.
Desuel Pardo, Mandaluyong City: The administration is using the second division of the Comelec in confusing Among Ed Panlilio that he did not win the 2007 elections and is demoralizing him now. Though the cause of the reversal of the previous results is appreciating now of votes cast in favor of ‘Nanay Baby’, one of the known names of Lilia Pineda as filed in her COC, why were it not appreciated before? Among Ed is a neophyte in politics, but one thing sure is that he was not born yesterday.
Ric Vergara, Calamba: The timing is excellent. Congrats, PGMA, este Comelec!
Ernesto Oliquiano, Las Piñas City: Finally, the Comelec showed its true colors. It is not an independent body as it claims to be. The hand of Malacañang is very visible and no matter how they deny this, the impression embedded in the minds of the people can never be erased. I am just wondering why they had to wait this long to release their decision when all along, they already knew what it would be. I don’t believe that it took them almost three years to count 379,447 votes to know who the real winner was in that election.
Something good might come out of this
Eizabeth Oximer, Negros Occidental: It’s oppression for the LP, but it will boomerang, don’t worry.
Jimmy Donton, Puerto Princesa City: It’s business as usual; something good might still happen to infuriate the voters so that those who are undecided will finally vote for the underdog. Panlilio will have the upper hand come May 2010.
The Comelec should have acted sooner
Lucas Banzon Madamba II, USA: I would say that the Comelec should have acted on the matter regarding Ed Panlilio right after the elections.
Ignacio Anacta, Metro Manila: The Comelec should set a timetable, say within one year after the election, to decide whether to retain or unseat an elected official and not do it at the eleventh hour! It’s very unfair, not only to Among Ed Panlilio, but also to all thinking and caring Filipinos!
Ferdinand Rafer, Cavite: The recounting of votes took so much time, counting in the long debates of lawyers from both camps. It was already too late before they could hand down the decision.
C.B. Manalastas, Manila: Why did it take too long for the Comelec to make a decision? In fairness to the rightful winner, Among Ed should step down and just campaign.
Rene Poder, Manila: The Comelec moves with all the haste of a one-legged turtle.
Mark Kevin Santos, Nueva Ecija: It’s too late to declare that Among Ed is really not the one who actually won in his province. If Among Ed’s opponent suspects that cheating occurred, then the Comelec should have done the recount right after the elections!
Same old, same old
Armando Tavera, Las Piñas City: This bit of news on Among Ed’s ouster by the Comelec is nothing new, really. It has happened in the past as in the case of Gov. Padaca.
Ric Vergara, Calamba: Nothing has changed in Philippine elections. Marumi na dahil sa mga basura, marumi pa ang tema ng mga namumulitika. “Plastic season” is here again!
Renato Taylan, Ilocos Norte: Candidates want to win at all costs and by all means. This is still the name of the game - with no serious voters’ education to effect responsible voting.
Politics and religion are strange bedfellows
Erwin Espinoza, Pangasinan: Among Ed has to go back to his duties as priest na lang. For his own good ito as politics and religion are two opposing kingdoms.
Laying the groundwork for cheating
Manuel Abejero, Pangasinan: What else, but a last-ditch effort to prepare the grounds for cheating. Look, even provincial PNP directors are being replaced with robotic officers
Rey Ibalan, Antipolo City: This is one of the reasons why the Comelec and even the administration is losing credibility.
Have you read the Comelec decision?
Pat Cuilan, Benguet: Without reading the Comelec decision, comments on the issue of unseating Pampanga Gov. Ed would be speculative.
Views expressed in this section do not necessarily reflect the editorial position of The STAR. The STAR does not knowingly publish false information and may not be held liable for the views of readers exercising their right to free expression. The publication also reserves the right to edit contributions to this section as it sees fit.
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