Brillantes, Padaca cast ballots under absentee voting

MANILA, Philippines - Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. and Commissioner Grace Padaca cast their ballots yesterday for the May 13 elections.

Brillantes and Padaca voted at the session hall of the Comelec main office in Palacio del Gobernador, Intramuros in Manila. 

They went through the regular procedures for voting, including presentation of valid identification cards and having their forefingers marked with indelible ink. 

Brillantes said he voted for only nine senatorial candidates. He hinted that he voted for three candidates each from Team PNoy and United Nationalist Alliance and three independent candidates.  

“I think only nine (of the candidates) are qualified... I really gave it serious thought. I initially listed 23 candidates until I went down to 12.  And then I removed three more,” he said.              

Brillantes said he voted for those he believes could serve the people sincerely.

“I know them personally. I know that they will do good for the Filipino people,” he said.           

Comelec’s Election Contests Adjudication Department director Betty Pizaña said 18,332 have registered for local absentee voting but only 12,732 were found qualified and included in the National List of Registered Voters.

Pizaña said those who would fail to cast their vote during the local absentee voting, which ends today, could still vote on May 13. Government officials and employees, including public school teachers and members of the Philippine National Police and Armed Forces of the Philippines who are assigned to do election duties, are qualified to vote early.            

At least 575 members of the media also registered for local absentee voting.

Policemen who will be on election duty also cast their votes yesterday. They voted at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame in Quezon City.             

“Although we assure the public of the PNP’s maximum service on May 13, our personnel need not compromise their democratic right in order to perform their crucial role of ensuring public safety not only during election period but as long as the Constitution would permit,” PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima said.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said 3,009 policemen are expected to vote early. At least 34 of them belong to the Directorial Staff, 106 from the National Supporting Units and 2,869 from the Police Regional Offices. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe