Task Force for family and life names its bets!

All of the sudden Smartmatic tells us that there’s a problem with the memory cards that the PCOS machines use as some of them have been malfunctioning. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) ordered a recall of some 76,000 flash cards. How huge is this number in terms of percentages and will they really affect the elections?

With only four days left to go before elections, I doubt if the Comelec has material time to reprogram these smartcards, although they insist that this can be done in just two days. At this point, we can only give them the benefit of the doubt. But this got former Energy Sec. Angelo Reyes fuming mad that this was happening and demanded from the Comelec an explanation, asking that those responsible be hanged! Hmmm, Sec. Reyes obviously hasn’t gotten away from his old military style. He forgot that he is now a Partylist candidate and should act accordingly.

Now there’s a call to have the elections postponed, especially from my good friend, Malacañang legal counsel Atty. Romulo Macalintal. I really don’t know if this is legal or not. What is important for us to know is whether these 76,000 memory cards can be reprogrammed by Sunday. I’m not really comfortable with postponing the elections because it plays too much on those groups who want to destabilize our nation.

Meanwhile, there are groups who want the Comelec to shift once more to manual counting. But again, I would like to believe that it is too late for that too. Bringing those old ballot boxes to the polling places can’t be done in four days. Secondly, what kind of ballots will the Comelec stuff in those old boxes as the ballots today is huge as compared to the old ballots. The next couple of days will be crucial. Let’s hold on tight and pray that things will turn out for the better. I’m sure this dilemma will be solved.

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With Pastor Apollo Quiboloy’s endorsement of GIBO Teodoro Jr., people are now anxiously waiting for the decision from next huge religious group, the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) as to whom they would endorse in the coming elections. El Shaddai’s Mike Velarde already said that this time around, he would no longer endorse any Presidentiable. Perhaps it is because he is also running as a Partylist bet or he might just be too uncomfortably close to Manny Villar. But we can expect him to change his mind on this.

But one group has openly declared their candidates and it is the Task Force for Family and Life Visayas (TFFLV). This is the core group that fought in the ramparts to stop the passing of the Reproductive Health (RH) bill. This group has started distributed leaflets or flyers declaring their support for those candidates whom they consider as Defenders for Family and Life and have publicly rejected the RH Bill. This group has the blessing, the full backing and endorsement of his eminence Ricardo Cardinal Vidal and the Cebu Archdiocese.

Here’s the list of candidates that the TFFLV is supporting. For President, GIBO Teodoro. For Senators: Kit Tatad, Jo Imbong, Franklin Drilon, Juan Ponce Enrile, Tito Sotto, Gwen Pimentel, Alex Lacson and Adrian Sison. For the local candidates, Gov. Gwen F. Garcia for governor. For Congress: Rep. Eduardo Gullas 1st District, Rep. Pablo Garcia 2nd District, Rep. Pablo John Garcia 3rd District, Rep. Benhur Salimbangon 4th District, Ramon “Red” Durano VI 5th District, Arturo Radaza for Lapu-Lapu City and Cutie del Mar for Cebu City North.

I don’t know why the South District wasn’t mentioned despite the fact that Mayor Tomas Osmeña openly supports the distribution of condoms. Perhaps because his political rival Guardo must also believe in the RH Bill. For Mayors, the TFFLV supports Mayor Jonas Cortes (this is obvious because of Nerissa Soon-Ruiz being the co-author of the RH Bill), Mayor Soc Fernandez of Talisay City, Mayor Ramonito Durano III of Danao City, Paz Radaza of Lapu-Lapu City and Mariquita Salimbangon Yeung of Bogo City.

The TFFLV has also cautioned all Catholics whom not to vote. First on the list is Liberal Party bet Sen. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III because of his statement made last Oct. 19, 2009: “I don’t care if the Catholic Church will abandon me because of my support for the Reproductive Health Bill… We must ensure full availability of contraceptives.” I just hope that Catholic Charismatic groups obey the wishes of the Catholic Church. Meanwhile, the Senatoriables that we should not vote are Acosta, Bautista, Biazon, Cayetano, Estrada, Hontiveros, Marcos, Maza, Ocampo, Remulla and Tamano. Include Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz!