Comelec OKs recall petition vs Mitra

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has found sufficient grounds in the recall petition filed against Palawan Gov. Abraham Mitra.

In a minute resolution, the Comelec gave weight to the complaint of the Kilusan Love Malampaya (KLM) that it had lost trust and confidence in Mitra, saying he “failed on many aspects to respond to their (Palaweños’) expectations and welfare.”

KLM alleged that Mitra compromised Palawan’s share of the Malampaya gas revenue when the provincial government requested a P14-billion financial package from President Aquino.

Lawyer Genevieve Velicaria-Guevarra, officer-in-charge of the office of the Comelec deputy executive director for operations, however, said the poll body still has to verify the signatures of the petitioners against the list of voters.

Under the law, she said a recall election should be conducted one year before the May 13, 2013 midterm polls.  

– Sheila Crisostomo, Jhelyn Andal-Rocha