Comelec to verify signatures in Palawan mayor’s recall case

MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will verify the signatures of voters affixed on a recall petition filed against Mayor Lucilo Bayron of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan.

Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said although they have denied Bayron’s motion for reconsideration, they would have to wait until petitioner Alroben Goh has the petition published in newspapers, which is a requirement under the law, before the poll body could proceed with the verification.

“There is a requirement for publication once a week for three consecutive weeks. I think Goh’s camp is doing that now. After that, the next process is the verification of signatures,” Brillantes said.

The petition contains 40,409 signatures of qualified voters in the city. The number of signatures is 21,074 more than the required 19,335 needed for the recall election to proceed.

After the verification, the Comelec will set the date of the recall election, which was estimated to cost P28 million.

Brillantes said they have to conduct the recall election on or before May 9, which is one year before the May 9, 2016 elections as required by law.

The Comelec is also set to resolve another recall petition filed against Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, but Brillantes said the case could take longer as it covers the entire province of Bulacan.

“Alvarado has filed a motion for reconsideration that we should resolve. The petition should also be published before we can do the verification,” Brillantes said.