Move canvassing venue, Bagatsing asks Comelec

Manila Mayoral Candidate Amado Bagatsing (PPC) sought yesterday the transfer of the canvassing of votes from the Manila City Hall to the Ninoy Aquino Sports Complex (NASC) in Malate, Manila to avoid suspicion and possible fraud.

Bagatsing made this move in support of a request filed by Manila Third District Election Officer, Aniceta Laceda, addressed to the Commission on Elections, citing the need to ensure a free, orderly, honest and credible election in Manila.

In her letter to Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo, Laceda said that to avoid suspicion and to be transparent to the public, the change of venue for the canvassing is necessary.

"This is based on my experiences as election officer of Pasay City where I also requested the transfer of venue of the canvassing from the City Hall to the Cuneta Astrodome. Suspicion of fraud and partisan political activities both from Comelec employees and City Hall employees were lessened if not avoided," she said.

Bagatsing urged the Comelec to approve Laceda’s request as she cited valid points including the cramped space in the offices of the Manila Election Unit saying that the NASC can more easily accommodate the flow of ballot boxes from the polling centers.

"The offices of the election officer in the City Hall are indeed too small to accommodate all the ballot boxes plus the watchers from different political parties who will be guarding against fraud," he said.

Laceda also sought approval for five or six sub-canvassing units per district instead of the usual three, noting that during the past electoral exercises these undermanned units took almost ten days to finish the canvassing.