I don’t want to seem rude or disrespectful but Eleksyon 2007, the day Filipinos go to the polls to decide, among other things, if they want boxing champion Manny Pacquaiov to replace Darlene Antonino-Custodio in Congress representing South Cotobato, might make an enthralling pay-per-view event.
Early, unofficial reports have Dazzling Darlene way ahead on points, I mean ballots, against Pacman. See the link below to the Pacland website, as provided by our ace correspondent Slaven Lagumbay, for more information.
In some places it seems the bullets are flying faster than the ballots. Comelec, which runs the elections, has had to be accompanied by police and soldiers in various locales. One official said he sees a voter turnout of 75-80 percent in many places which is great when you consider that people are being shot at, votes are being bought and voters are being physically intimidated in numerous locations.
They’re all mixing it up, the Team Unity party, the Genuine Opposition, the Communist rebels. The national and local elections are wild and wooly. Maybe Pacman will find the boxing ring a place of serenity after this crazy political experience.
The following is a report from GMA TV News on election day violence and polling failures:
“While a failure of election was also declared in Caiontor village, municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.
Comelec reported around 7:25 am, a group of teachers, escorted by Army and police personnel, were walking toward the school when 20-armed men started firing at them.
The teachers lie down and asked their escorts not to retaliate as they might be trapped in the crossfire. When the armed men left, the BEIs run to a nearby village bringing with them election paraphernalia.
On the other hand, elections were postponed in various provinces.
The Comelec reported that elections in six precincts in Basilan were postponed after a misunderstanding with BEIs.
In the municipality of Barira, Shariff Kabunsuan, elections were postponed after supporters of Mayor Alex Tumawis refused to give the election paraphernalia. Comelec is yet to decide if they will declare a failure of election in the area.
The elections in Zamboanga del Norte were postponed due to the reported presence of Abu Sayyaf elements 50 kilometers from the Poblacion.”
