Koko Pimentel says he will not run in 2010 polls

MANILA, Philippines - Losing senatorial candidate Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said yesterday he will not run in the May 2010 senatorial elections but instead will continue to pursue his election protest against Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Speaking at the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Hotel media forum, Pimentel said he is confident that he will win his election protest against Zubiri because of the “overwhelming evidence” his camp has presented before the Senate Electoral Tribunal. Pimentel claimed he had won by 246,000 votes over Zubiri based on the recount conducted by SET in the municipalities covered by his protest.

“I will not be distracted by the deadline of filing (of certificate of candidacy) and will pursue this protest. I think it would be unfair if you are the winner and yet would still run again to get your seat so I will just continue my protest not candidacy,” Pimentel said. Pimentel said he expected the SET, composed of three justices and six senators, to resolve the protest and counter protest by November or December.

“I am hoping for a Merry Christmas,” Pimentel said.

The pilot precincts where Pimentel claimed he had won included the towns of Buluan, Ampatuan, Paglat and Guindulungan in Maguindanao; Sultan Naga Dimaporo, Slavador and Matungao in Lanao del Norte; Sultan Kudarat in Shariff Kabunsuan and Tapul, Sulu.

Pimentel said Zubiri has until Oct. 15 to present his counter protest before the SET. He earlier declined an invitation from former President Joseph Estrada and Sen. Manuel Villar to join their senatorial slates in 2010.

The son and namesake of the Senate minority leader ran for senator in 2007 under the Genuine Opposition slate headed by Estrada. He filed an election protest against Zubiri, who won the 12th and last slot with a lead of 19,292 votes.

“The entire election results in the province of Maguindanao in the May 14, 2007 senatorial elections have been totally manufactured and fabricated,” Pimentel said.