Four witnesses take stand, but 5 "back out"

CEBU, Philippines - While four witnesses for defeated San Fernando mayoralty candidate Lakambini Reluya took the stand to testify to anomalies during the May 10, 2010 elections, five are reportedly no longer willing to give their testimonies.

This is in connection to the protest Reluya filed against Mayor Antonio Canoy who won over Reluya with a margin of 1,271 votes during the May 10, 2010 local and national elections.

In yesterday’s continuation of the presentation of evidence, lawyer Jennie Aclan presented public school teacher Litapina Abendan, who served during the election and registered voters Carmela Tanajura, Alona Serbado and Ritchel Junson.

The four witnesses said that there were irregularities during elections, particularly within the vicinity of some polling precincts. As of yesterday, the protestant was able to present 13 witnesses with another four set to be presented on November 26.

As soon as Reluya’s side finishes with the presentation of their witnesses and evidence, Canoy is expected to present his witnesses and evidence.

Reluya’s camp would not reveal the names of the witnesses who backed out after allegedly being intimidated by the Canoy camp.

“We are not here to accuse anybody. We all know in progress ang among election protest ug amoa ’ning kawsa,” Reluya said in a press conference yesterday.   The said witnesses are supposed to testify in court about the massive cheating in the elections through pre-shaded ballots used in the first automated elections nationwide.

“To our witnesses nga dili angay mahadlok, kuyugi ko ninyo ka’y atoa man ‘ning activities. We should not tolerate this kind of activities,” Reluya said as she assured their witnesses of their safety.

“Among hangyo sa mga witnesses, ayaw mo kahadlok kay sakto inyo gibuhat, naa si mayor,” Reluya’s counsel Jennie Aclan added.

Lawyer Paterno Belciña Jr. also said that their witnesses are supposed to corroborate the recounting of ballots.

The court can subpoena these witnesses but Belciña said they are still doubtful if they will come out when they are influenced by the other party.

Reluya’s camp has challenged the camp of Mayor Antonio Canoy to allow the manual recounting of ballots so the case can be finished as soon as possible.

Reluya said that Canoy has no reason to delay the recounting if he is sure he won the elections. — Gregg M. Rubio and Mylen P. Manto /BRP (THE FREEMAN)