One-woman demolition job at the Comelec - JAYWALKER by Art A. Borjal

There is great need to beef up the Commission on Elections with new faces, as replacements for retired chairperson Harriet Demetriou and two other Comelec colleagues. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should thus lose no time in making her appointments to that election body. The May elections are fast approaching, and preparations for this all-important event cannot be left in the hands of the four incumbent Comelec commissioners, particularly Luz Tancangco whose tenure at the Comelec has been characterized by mediocrity and dark shadows of wrongdoing.

Tancangco’s tenure at the poll body has been reprehensible. She virtually held the Comelec hostage to her whims and caprices, and to her own hidden agenda. As a result, the Comelec bungled its job of informing first-time voters of the registration deadline, thus denying more than four million youngsters the right to vote in the coming May 2001 elections. Tancangco also masterminded the scheme to do away with the computerized vote count, through her shady handling of the bidding process.

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Eminent academician and highly-respected personage Mahar Mangahas, in his Manila Standard column yesterday, whaled away at Tancangco for her effort "to persecute, vindictively and unrelentingly, the National Movement for Free Elections." Mangahas had, two years ago, formally opposed Tancangco’s appointment as Comelec commissioner. But Tancangco’s appointment passed the congressional confirmation body, because of the clout and influence of Raul de Guzman, the brother-in-law of ousted President Erap.

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In his sworn opposition to Tancangco’s appointment, Mangahas cited a University of the Philippines assessment of what was then called the Tancangco Report about the 1987 election. No logical basis, funny and queer reasoning, incompetent, irresponsible – these were just some of the adjectives used by UP’s social scientists and demography experts in describing Tancangco’s work.

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"Thus, given her (Tancangco) demonstrated incompetence in prior election-research, and her unfounded prejudice toward Namfrel, I think it is most unwise for the Commission on Appointments to confirm the appointment of Prof. Luz Tancangco as Comelec commissioner," said Mangahas in his sworn statement sent to the appointment body. "It does not require any special expertise to assess the Tancangco research as worthless. Her writing is gobbledy-gook. Just try reading her for yourself, and weep," Mangahas said.

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With all the mess that the Comelec is facing now, you can see how Tancangco has done almost irreparable damage to the forthcoming electoral exercise. The longer Tancangco stays at the poll body, without any new commissioners to counter her devious and dubious schemes, the coming May elections might turn into a sham, a horrible nightmare that can undo the good things brought about by People Power II.

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Namfrel Chairman Jose Concepcion has threatened to file an impeachment case against Tancangco. While it is late for such a case to prosper, throwing the raps at Tancangco could send home the strong message that the people will no longer tolerate the shenanigans going on at the Comelec, through the incompetence and irresponsibility of Tancangco. Probably, it is high time to show People Power at the Comelec, especially at the doorsteps of Tancangco.

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The Good Samaritan Foundation has raised initial funds to support the medicine requirements of Dr. Mia Garcia, the young lady doctor who has, through the past seven years, been going through a horrible ordeal in trying to prolong her life. I have instructed my staff to turn over the amount of P10,000 to Mia, to buy the medicine that she needs daily as follows: NEVRO B10N 500, NEVRO PIN 300 mg, HzBloc, PLETAAL 50 mg, and TEGRETON 200 mg.

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The Good Samaritan Foundation is also trying to save the life of a six-year-old boy from Baliuag, Bulacan, Jesric Miguel Marcelo, who is coping with leukemia and who badly needs a bone marrow operation and chemotherapy. The GS Foundation appropriated P14,000 for the forthcoming bone marrow operation of Jesric, who is the son of a rank-and-file ordinary hotel employee.

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Many financially-distressed fellowmen continue to come to my office, to seek help from the Good Samaritan Foundation. Because of limited financial resources, the GS Foundation can only accommodate a small number of our suffering brethren. A helping hand from fellowmen who are more blessed will be much appreciated. Please contact Alex Dinoy of the GS Foundation, at tel. nos. 716-1399 and 716-1499. Thanks a million!

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There is another text message that I got yesterday, this time at nighttime, from businessman and Ateneo schoolmate Noli Agcaoili. The message read: "God gives us the silence of the night for us to rest and prepare for another day ahead. So sleep tight and feel God’s embrace as you sleep tonight. Good night!" Inspiring to be in someone’s prayer just before another day ends, isn’t it?

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Here is another text message, from Flohree Bisco of the National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons:

Dedication to Christ

is not just a one-time choice.

It’s a daily commitment.

Be strong in the Lord . . .

Have a blessed day!

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PULSEBEAT: Architect Castor Surla IV, president of the Architectural Center Club at Rockwell Drive, observes that the E-Pass barriers at the South Superhighway exits have caused traffic jams and slowed down traffic flow. He suggests that the E-Pass barriers be removed . . . Dr. Conrad Javier of Cleveland, Ohio, USA, suggests that a one-on-one meeting be arranged for President GMA and President Bush. Dr. Javier also praised GMA for demonstrating a "tough attitude" towards destabilizers . . . A major highlight of the Supreme Court’s celebration of its centenary is a regional and national search for "centennial judges and court employees" who have exhibited excellence. There will be awardees in each of the country’s 13 judicial regions. Nominations may be sent to the search committee headed by Senior Associate Justice Josue N. Bellosillo and retired Justice Jose Y. Feria, c/o Supreme Court, Padre Faura, Manila.

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My e-mail address: [email protected]