Hussin posts big lead in quick count

Administration candidate Parouk Hussin continued to post a big lead yesterday over independent bet Ibrahim Paglas III in the quick count of the National Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) for the Nov. 26 elections in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

This, as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) reconvened yesterday its Regional Board of Canvassers for the official canvassing of election results.

The board, however, adjourned minutes later because no certificates of canvass from the ARMM had arrived.

As of 2:15 yesterday, the Namfrel quick count showed Hussin with 229,937 votes as against Paglas’ 99,930. Third placer Ahmad Nooh, an independent candidate, had 4,233 votes.

In fourth place was another independent bet, Macapanton Abbas Jr., with 2,415 votes. He, however, withdrew his candidacy days before the elections.

In the vice gubernatorial race, Hussin’s running mate, Mahid Mutilan, led the pack with 226,644 votes.

Trailing Mutilan, former governor of Lanao del Sur, were independents Benjamin Loong, with 94,847 votes, and Fatima Irene Rasul, daughter of former Sen. Santanina Rasul, with 2,139.

At Malacañang, Presidential Spokesman Rigoberto Tiglao laughed off charges that the Arroyo administration had a hand in alleged cheating in the ARMM polls.

"There (was) no need to cheat," he said.

Tiglao said the tandem of Hussin and Mutilan had the support of ARMM officials led by Sulu Gov. Yusoph Jikiri and Cotabato City Mayor Muslimin Sema who, incidentally, both belong, along with Hussin, to the "Council of 15," the new central leadership of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) which unseated outgoing ARMM Gov. Nur Misuari as chairman.

Tiglao said Hussin’s rivals lacked broad support in the region. "If you do not have political leaders as your allies, it’s hard to get votes. So cheating (in the elections) is not needed," he said.

President Arroyo was elated over the big lead the Hussin-Mutilan tandem was posting in the quick count.

She urged the elected ARMM officials to immediately "consolidate the new government" in the expanded autonomous region to begin the healing process following the armed uprising of MNLF members still loyal to Misuari.

The President said the MNLF leaders are her government’s "partners in the peace process and in upholding the law."

She gave assurance that the transition to the new ARMM leadership will be peaceful and orderly.