ILAGAN, Isabela – Tension looms in this province after the provincial board of canvassers suspended the canvassing of the remaining election returns from two towns the other day.
The votes from Tumauini and this capital town would eventually decide who wins the governorship – incumbent Gov. Grace Padaca or former three-term governor Benjamin Dy.
Left-leaning groups warned of chaos should the election results be manipulated. The local New People’s Army’s command accused the Arroyo administration of trying to derail Padaca’s re-election.
Before the canvassing was suspended, Padaca was leading by 207,244 votes against Dy’s 195,176, or a margin of 12,068 votes, in the official Comelec count.
The quick count of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting also showed Padaca winning by a margin of more than 14,000 votes.
Dy sought the suspension of the canvassing, claiming alleged election irregularities favoring Padaca. He also asked the Commission on Elections to set aside the election returns from Ilagan and Tumauini.