Opposition seeks new venue for Mandaluyong canvassing

To ensure fairness and avoid foul maneuverings, opposition candidates in Mandaluyong City have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to transfer the canvassing of returns in the coming May 14 elections from the city gymnasium to the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).

In a letter to Mary Ann Lacuesta, the city election officer, congressional bet Angie Buan and mayoralty candidate former Vice Mayor Ernesto "Bibot" Domingo emphasized that the transfer of the canvassing venue would stop any impression that the camp of incumbent Mayor Benhur Abalos would commit massive fraud.

Domingo claimed that Abalos "cheated" in the 1998 elections and won by a few hundred votes. He filed a series of protests which were thrown out by the Comelec.

Domingo told Lacuesta that his group got unfair treatment during the 1998 elections because the canvassing of votes was done at the city gym which is inside the city hall compound.

Domingo enclosed in his letter some photos of barangay officials and soldiers armed with truncheons and long firearms who were surreptitiously roaming around the canvassing area allegedly during the canvassing of election returns.

"Hence, in the interest of fairness and equity, may we request for the holding of the canvassing of election returns at some neutral venue, preferably at the NCMH gym, instead of the city gym, which is within the sphere of control and influence of the incumbent administration," Domingo said. – Non Alquitran