Atienza accuses Lim of poll fraud plot

MANILA, Philippines - Mayoralty candidate Lito Atienza yesterday presented a witness claiming there is an alleged plot to rig the elections in Manila, a claim that Mayor Alfredo Lim denied.

Atienza presented computer operator Ronilda Reluya as a witness to an alleged plot to cheat by the Manila City Hall electronic data processing (EDP) department.  

Atienza said they will file before the Comelec a complaint against Lim and ask the poll body to disqualify the mayor from the May 10, 2010 elections.

They claimed that Lim’s camp prepared a fabricated consolidated results of the 2010 elections for all positions in clustered precincts at the Amado V. Hernandez Elementary School, purportedly counted by PCOS 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105. The said fabricated election results are appended to Reluya’s affidavit.

In a statement issued after Atienza’s press conference, Secretary to the Mayor Rafaelito Garayblas said Reluya is a “paid hack,” and had been employed at the city hall through Atienza’s influence.

During the press conference held at the Atienza headquarters in San Andres, Manila, Reluya admitted that she was hired and assigned by Atienza at the EDP 10 years ago.

Lawyer Renato de la Cruz, chief of the city government’s legal office, also denied that there was poll fraud being planned by Lim’s camp.

De la Cruz said what Reluya saw were copies of printouts of a website being created by city hall to be used for counting the votes during the May 10 polls.

He said the EDP personnel were only conducting a “mock election” to test the program being made for the website, and no fraud was being planned.

When asked as why Lim and his camp appeared as winners in the elections, De la Cruz said, “Why not? And why would we make it appear that Atienza won here?”

Reluya also said her “loyalty” remains with Atienza. She said she plans to resign because she cannot go back to her office at the city hall and she fears for her life and her family.

Reluya also signed an affidavit during the press conference, before a notary public, regarding the alleged poll fraud being planned.

When asked as to what he would do if he wins, Atienza said he would appoint Reluya again to the Manila City Hall due to her help in revealing the alleged anomaly.

EDP head Edgardo Tan clarified that the computer system at city hall does not have the capability to alter the results of the automated elections.      

The most that the EDP can do, he said, is to monitor the situation in remote areas.

Garayblas said that as far as Lim is concerned, he has faith in the system and believes that the Commission on Elections is capable of carrying out a foolproof election in May.

Tan stressed that the nature of Reluya’s job is confined to receiving calls for assistance should any computer at any city hall office bog down and require repairs.

Razon: End personal attacks

Retired Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Avelino “Sonny” Razon appealed yesterday to his rivals, Lim and Atienza, to stop their personal attacks on each other and instead focus on issues concerning governance.

Razon said the squabble between Lim and Atienza is adding more tension to the already heated election campaign for the city government’s top post.

“There is very little time left before election day and I am certain that the voters are more interested in our respective platforms instead of personal attacks. It is also incumbent upon us candidates for public office to be models of civility and respect,” said Razon in a statement.

Razon said he has “very high regard” for Lim and Atienza, whom he served during his two terms as director of the Manila Police District (MPD).  

“That is why I am saddened that they are hurling accusations against each other that are very personal in nature,” said Razon.

He was referring to a heated exchange between Lim and Atienza during a debate at the Manila Polo Club last April 22.

In response to a question regarding how to address the problem of illegal drugs, Atienza claimed Lim would not be effective in addressing the problem as the latter’s son, Manny Lim, is allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Reacting to Atienza’s accusation, Lim admitted that his son was a user but was never engaged in the sale of illegal drugs.

He then retaliated by accusing Atienza’s son, Ali, who was present during the forum, of being a drug user who was allegedly confined at the Makati Medical Center for treatment.

The younger Atienza, a gold medalist at the 1994 Asian taekwondo championship held in Manila, said that he has been an athlete all his life and that he has never used illegal drugs. He filed a libel suit against Lim before the Makati prosecutor’s office the next day.