Transfer of Cebu canvass to Manila opposed

CEBU — Gubernatorial candidate Gwendolyn Garcia is opposing the transfer of the canvassing of the contested certificates of canvass (COCs) to Manila.

Garcia’s rival, former fourth district Rep. Celestino Martinez Jr., earlier asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to transfer the canvassing of votes for governor to Manila because of "tension and violence" in Cebu.

Garcia said Martinez’s petition has no factual and legal basis.

She said the petition was filed in connection with the seven separate appeals filed by Martinez with the Comelec on the previous ruling of the provincial board of canvassers denying their petition to exclude the COCs of the cities of Mandaue and Toledo and the municipalities of Argao, Boljoon, Dumanjug, Oslob and San Francisco.

Garcia’s lawyer, Pablo John Garcia, argued that there is no need to transfer the canvassing because the votes have been tallied temporarily pursuant to Section 36(b) of Comelec Resolution No. 6669.

Martinez’s lawyer, Pepita Jane Petralba, said her client is not comfortable with the canvassing being done here, claiming it would create tension. — Freeman News Service