Comelec sets Taguig recount for the third time

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has set the recount of the ballots in the May 2010 Taguig mayoral race, the third time it has done so.

In a three-page resolution, the Comelec’s first division set the retrieval of the ballot boxes in Taguig from Nov. 22 to 25. The poll body previously set the retrieval of ballot boxes in Taguig on Oct. 27 and then in November.

“The order (of retrieval) is hereby reiterated with an adjustment on the dates of the retrieval of the ballot boxes and the recount of ballots for the pilot precincts,” the Comelec said.

The Comelec said the recount of the 43 ballot boxes would be in batches, with 10 boxes to be processed each day during the first two days while 11 and 12 ballot boxes will be processed on the third and fourth day, respectively.

According to the poll body, the recount proceedings shall still be held at the Comelec main office in Intramuros, Manila, with Marines guarding the ballots.

In the May 2010 polls, retired associate justice Dante Tinga ran and lost by 2,420 votes to Ma. Laarni Cayetano. Tinga later filed an election protest before the Comelec and sought a recount.

Based on Tinga’s complaint, the Comelec’s second division ordered the retrieval of the ballot boxes, but the Cayetano camp claimed the division’s members are biased against the incumbent mayor.

Last April, all of the commissioners reassigned the case to the first division, which ordered the retrieval of the ballot boxes last September.

Cayetano again questioned the order and submitted a motion to stay the collection, delivery, recount, and return of the ballots.

The first division denied Cayetano’s motion, saying it was a mere “rehash” of previous petitions.