‘Special Malabon election not likely’

A top-ranking Metro Manila Commission on Elections (Comelec) official dismissed the possibility of holding a special poll to resolve the brewing controversy involving two "extra" members of the Malabon City Council.

Comelec Metro Manila Director Ferdinand Rafanan said that the election has long been over and holding a special poll is a remote possibility.

Rafanan issued the statement in reply to the twin proposals aired by Mayor Amado Vicencio and Councilors Rogie Yanga and Lucio Santos. Yanga and Santos have become the center of controversy after their proclamation as duly elected councilors was declared void by the poll body.

Vicencio proposed to Comelec Chairman Alfredo Benipayo and his commissioners the holding of a special poll at the city council level while the two disputed councilmen proposed the recounting of votes cast during the last elections.

Though it would entail millions of pesos in government money, the city officials believe that either of the two options will finally resolve the issue at the Sangguniang Panlunsod.

"In my view, such proposals will no longer be possible because the election is over. Besides, we are talking here about the election per se. But the real question here is whether or not there is a seventh office (slot or position) in the city council," Rafanan said. Under existing laws, there are only six for every congressional district.

Rafanan stressed that he cannot talk about the merits of the case, saying there is an on-going investigation ordered by the Comelec chief to check how the election for additional council posts took place in Malabon.

He said, however, that the Comelec had already rectified the error when it issued a resolution withdrawing the proclamation of the two councilors (Yanga and Santos) since "there is no seventh (or eigth) office at the council as stated in the City Charter."

Both Yanga and Santos insisted that they should not be blamed for the mistake the Comelec had committed.

"Besides, it was in good faith when we participated in the election which we eventually won," they said.

They said they may eventually relinquish their posts but only after they are fully convinced by a proper authority.

"Definitely, we will be filing damages against the Comelec if the ruling goes against us," Santos said.

Members of the minority bloc in the local chamber led by Councilors Venancio Sevilla, Chiqui Roque and Eddie Torres had pressed Vice Mayor Jayjay Yambao to implement the Comelec order since he is the council’s presiding officer.

The opposition bloc said they would continue to boycott regular sessions unless Yanga and Santos are removed as council members.

"It will be a waste of government money which can be used for community-based projects rather than for the salary and benefits of the excess two and their staff whose positions are legally non-existent," Sevilla said.