It’s easier to transport a ballot box than Erap - POSTSCRIPT by Federico D. Pascual, Jr.

(Conclusion)

Some of the funds insinuated as having been misplaced or misused by Abalos are cash advances made during the past 31 years. In junking the charges, the ombudsman noted that the COA already issued last September a ruling in favor of the city treasurer.

Abalos explained that the COA "merely wanted to inventory the assets of the city and reconcile all the financial data for the past 31 years when I was only seven years old." He noted that this is a common accounting problem of many local government units.

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One sidelight keenly being watched is the effect of Erap’s downfall and indictment for plunder, and the attack of Erap partisans on Malacañang, on the chances of candidates identified with the fallen President.

In Palawan, the fallout from the fall of Erap and his followers’ attack on the seat of government are working in favor of Rep. Alfredo Abueg, the PPC candidate for governor, according to surveys coming from the island-province.

Abueg is running against acting Gov. Joel Reyes and Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn, one of the few loyalists who stayed with Erap until his last moments in power at the height of Edsa II last January. It seems Hagedorn rises or falls with his friend Erap.

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