Comelec: Zambales special poll orderly

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) described as “peaceful and orderly” yesterday’s special election for congressman in the second district of Zambales.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said the voting started on time in all of the 2,108 established and clustered precincts in the province’s 10 cities and municipalities.

“There was no major untoward incident. Based on the assessments of our field personnel, voting was peaceful and orderly. Canvassing may start at 10 p.m.,” he said.

The Comelec, however, observed a low turnout of voters.

The special election was held to fill in the post vacated by Antonio Diaz, who died last August.

Five candidates vied for the post. They are Jun Omar Ebdane, son of Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane; Rica Victoria Diaz of the Nacionalista Party; former Zambales vice governor Cheryl Deloso-Montalla of the Liberal Party; and Wilfredo Paul Pangan and Alfred Sebarrotin, both independent.

Zambales Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) coordinator Marie Jo Abiva said they have received reports that vote buying marred the special election.

Abiva declined to identify the camp behind the vote buying, saying they do not want the PPCRV volunteers to be accused of being partisan.

In a related development, Cesar Maddu, a former policeman and supporter of Deloso-Montalla, was killed in an alleged shootout with policemen Friday night. At least 10 other supporters of the candidate were allegedly beaten up by policemen, reports added.

The Zambales Provincial Police Office in its report said Maddu’s group shot at members of the Botolan police when their vehicle was pulled over at a checkpoint.

However, Deloso-Montalla‘s camp claimed the incident was an ambush and not a shootout. “How can they say that he (Maddu) engaged the operatives in a shootout when there is an existing gun ban,” former governor Amor Deloso, Deloso-Montalla‘s father, said. – With Bebot Sison Jr., Ric Sapnu