Tom wants Vidal, C-Cimpel to break silence on poll fraud

Mayor Tomas Osmeña believes the only way to solve the issue on the alleged electoral fraud committed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is for Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal and the Catholic Church-backed Cebu Citizens Involvement in Maturation and People's Empowerment for Liberation (C-Cimpel) to break their silence.

"The key here is that you have to look at the election returns carefully for Cebu. I just hope that the cardinal and C-Cimpel will finally speak out because they made a thorough count of the ERs," Osmeña told reporters yesterday morning.

In last year's polls, the National Movement for Free Elections delegated its affiliate, C-Cimpel, to a conduct a quick count in Cebu while the prelate deployed priests and nuns to act as watchers. Questions on election results resurfaced when Michael Angelo Zuce, a staff of Presidential Liaison Officer for Political Affairs Jose Ma. Rufino, alleged that the President through her friend, Pampanga Board Member Lilia Pineda, gave P30,000 each to regional and provincial officials of Commission on Elections to help her win the presidential race.

But Osmeña believes Cebuanos still support the President, adding that they find the allegations unacceptable considering the fact that it was in Cebu where she mustered over a million majority votes, which won her the presidency.

He said P30,000 is such a small amount to manipulate election results all over the region. "I can't believe that kind of scenario. If there was really distribution of money, it only happens during Christmas time," Osmeña said.

With this, Osmeña, north district Rep. Raul del Mar, and south district Rep. Antonio Cuenco endorsed to the President the appointment of regional election supervisor Salud Aliganga as Comelec commissioner.

Aliganga, accompanied by city election officer Simaco Labata, met with the mayor right after his regular news conference yesterday morning.

"Well, I told her we will endorse her for commissioner. All I know is that Comelec here in Cebu City in my experience has no problem and I have no problems with her," Osmeña said.

When asked if he is also endorsing Labata's promotion, the mayor said he would like Labata to stay in his post, but that it is up for Arroyo to decide.

Aliganga, on the other hand, was surprised upon learning about Osmeña's endorsement, saying, "I am deeply honored because of the trust and confidence reposed on me."

Aliganga had just retired after serving 40 years at the Comelec. But over 100 election officers in Cebu have signed two petitions for her appointment as commissioner and poll consultant for Central Visayas.